TOULOUSE, Jan 31: Despite a general economic slowdown in 2001 Airbus was able to consolidate its position as world’s leading aircraft manufacturer.

According to a press release Airbus obtained 375 new firm orders worth $44.7 billion in 2001, representing 53 per cent of the market share in terms of aircraft units and an impressive 61 per cent in terms of value. Although the number of aircraft sold by the company in 2001 was lower than in 2000, yet its sales almost tripled, contributing to a $3.4 billion in the value of the order intake, the press release added.