Airbus SAS on Monday said it received orders for 403 planes in the 10 months from January through October, half as many as rival Boeing Co., which has regained the title of world's leading airplane manufacturer.
Airbus, a unit of EADS NV (IW 1000/59), had held that distinction since 2006.
In October, Airbus received orders for 23 planes, including four wide-body A350-900 models for the Libyan airline Afriqiya that was just unveiled.
Meanwhile, Boeing (IW 1000/53) this year has taken orders for 1,009 aircraft, as of Nov. 9.
Both companies are revamping their lines to provide more fuel-efficient planes, and the A350 family, which is to enter commercial service by the end of 2014, competes with Boeing's 787 model, which was first delivered to customers last year.
The A350 also is a competitor with Boeing's 777 wide-body jet, which is well-established in the market for long-haul aircraft.
Boeing has recorded strong orders this year for its 737 MAX jetliner, designed for medium-length flights. The 737 MAX is due to be delivered in 2017 -- two years after its closest rival, the Airbus A320 Neo.
Since its commercial launch in mid-2011, Boeing has received orders for 938 of the 737 MAX model.
Airlines have placed orders for 1,469 of the A320 Neo plane, according to Airbus.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2012
