PARIS: European plane maker Airbus has booked more orders this year than US rival Boeing, figures showed on Monday, a sign that demand remains strong for the group’s aircraft despite recent production and design problems.

Airbus, which was trailing far behind Boeing for new orders earlier in the year, has made up ground after a rush for its A350 XWB.

On Monday, figures on the Airbus website showed that the European group had received 680 firm orders in the first six months of the year, including 152 for the A350.

The data add to a picture of revival at the France-based company — which unveiled record new orders at the Paris Air Show last month — after 18 months of relentless bad news.

Buoyant demand for new aircraft continues to benefit the industry, after record orders in 2005 and 2006, as airlines take advantage of strong passenger demand to renew and expand their fleets.—AFP