Sarkozy Wants New European Rocket Launcher

Airbus won firm orders for 58 planes worth $6.4 billion over five days, mostly from Asian and budget airlines. Rival Boeing Co. managed just one order for two planes worth a paltry $153 million.

Both totals were well below those of recent years.

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.

The air show at Le Bourget opened to the public on Friday, and runs through Sunday.

It has been overshadowed by the tragedy of Air France Flight 447. Remains of some of the 228 dead, and hundreds of pieces of wreckage reclaimed from the sea off Brazil are helping experts build a picture of what happened to the A330.