Airbus overtakes Boeing

Paris: European aerospace giant Airbus overtook arch-rival Boeing in terms of aircraft orders last year, but warned that it could cease making its A380 jet if it does not receive any more orders for the supersize plane. Airbus said it booked a total 1,109 aircraft orders and a record 718 deliveries in 2017. By comparison, US rival Boeing booked 912 orders and 763 deliveries. Chief operating officer Fabrice Bregier said that overall deliveries could rise to 800 this year, given the increased pace of production of its A320neo aircraft. The medium-haul A320neo and A321neo jets feature new generation engines that use 15 percent less fuel compared to their peers.