Boeing still rules the skies over airbus

Boeing secured more sales of its aircraft than Airbus for the first time since 2000, it has been revealed.

The Seattle-based manufacturer received 1,050 new orders last year compared to the European firm's 824.

It concludes a dispiriting year for Airbus, after delivery of its A380 plane was further delayed.

The double decker jumbo is now expected to make its first commercial flight for Singapore Airlines towards the end of the year, some two years behind schedule.

The delays are set to cost Airbus around £3.8 billion, it is estimated, and it is thought that a number of airlines are considering changing their A380 orders to that of Boeing's new 787 aircraft, which will have similar dimensions.

Despite the problems, Airbus managed to deliver 36 more planes than Boeing last year at 434.

The chief executive of Airbus, Louis Gallois, said the firm expects to deliver 440 to 450 planes during 2007.