Boeing beats Airbus on orders

(CNN) -- European plane maker Airbus fell behind Boeing on orders in 2007, but said it delivered more aircraft than its U.S. rival.

Plane makers enjoyed a record year for orders in 2007. Boeing came out on top with 1,413 net orders, beating Airbus's 1,341. Airbus delivered 453 new aircraft compared with Boeing's 441.

The two companies are competing furiously, particularly for increasing demand from China, India and the Middle East. The order Emirates placed for 70 A350 XWBs and 11 A380s from Airbus last year was the largest the plane maker had ever received in terms of value, estimated at $20.2 billion at catalogue prices.

In 2007 Airbus won 33 new firm gross orders for the A380, including 12 from British Airways - the first time the UK carrier selected Airbus for its long-haul fleet.

Despite an increase in demand for jets, it has also been a period of turbulence for Airbus. Delays and losses of its A380 and A350 widebody proved costly and earnings have also suffered in the face of a weak U.S. dollar.

To preserve competitiveness, the airline is in the midst of a restructuring program that aims to find $2.95 billion in savings by 2010 and cut 10,000 jobs.

Boeing is also going through a troubled patch. Bad news first hit last October when the plane maker announced a six-month delay to its Dreamliner 787. This week, further delays were announced bringing the first test flight back to June and the first deliveries to early 2009.

Tom Enders, Airbus' CEO said in a statement, "2007 was a challenging but also successful year for Airbus." 2008 is expected to be tougher.

Sales are expected to slow for both Airbus and Boeing in 2008. But large order backlogs are expected to keep plane makers buoyant during the slow down.

It will take six years' of production to fulfil Airbus' current order book. In 2008 the European plane maker expects to deliver more aircraft than in 2007 including 13 A380s to Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas. E-mail to a friend

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