Airbus Sees Bottom Of Industry Slump

The International Air Transport Association estimates the world's airlines will collectively lose $9 billion this year and face a slow recovery as the economic crisis saps air travel and cargo demand.

Leahy said the air show orders suggest "we are bouncing along the bottom" — although "I don't think this necessarily means that we are in full recovery mode yet."

He said Airbus' target of capturing 300 orders this year "didn't look too accurate a couple of weeks ago" but is now "perhaps achievable."

Boeing tried to shrug off Airbus' better success with orders during the week, saying the company doesn't save up orders to announce at air shows.

But it's year-to-date tally also tails Airbus.

Boeing's orders on June 16 totaled 76 planes this year, but with 66 cancellations its net score falls to just 10.

Before the show, Airbus had 11 net orders and 32 gross orders. It's new net score is 69.

Diogenis Papiomytis, an aerospace analyst with Frost & Sullivan in London, attributed Airbus' performance to its success selling its cash cow, the single-aisle A320, to regional carriers such as Hungary's Wizz Air and Philippines low-cost airline Cebu Pacific.