Richard Branson leads way for Airbus as planemaker edges out rival Boeing

Plane-maker Airbus has swept past arch-rival Boeing to win the annual orders race after a last-minute airline buying spree pointed to a recovery in emerging markets and the no-frills sector.

The European group, whose planes' wings are made in the UK, pushed past its US peer for a third year as it held onto a net order market share of 52 per cent despite a resurgent Boeing, which was hit by cancellations in 2009 due to delays to its 787 Dreamliner.

EADS-owned Airbus said it sold a gross 644 planes worth more than $84 billion (53bn) at list prices in 2010, beating Boeing's total of 625 aircraft, following a surge of some 200 plane orders in December.

It meant that Airbus was able to celebrate the 10,000th plane sale in its 40-year history following a $5bn order from Virgin America.

Airbus sales chief John Leahy said: "These figures show the economy is improving. We have dodged the bullet on a double-dip recession.

"Aviation is growing again because of Asia, low-cost carriers and emerging markets. The only negative on the horizon is the fuel price."

The December sales spree included the first firm purchase of a revamped model of the company's A320 passenger jet, the A320neo, by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin America, a low-cost airline based in California.

Limping on crutches after a skiing injury, the famous entrepreneur staged a signing ceremony with Airbus executives for posterity, although the actual deal was concluded in secrecy at the end of last month and helped push Airbus over the finishing line against Boeing.

The order covers 60 A320 models including 30 A320neo aircraft with newer engines. The upgrade aims to prolong the life of the group's best-selling jet by offering big fuel savings for operators of the 150-seat, medium-distance plane.

Airbus last week announced the world's largest potential plane order by volume from India's IndiGo, including 150 A320neo jets, but that contract will probably be finalised sometime in 2011.

The firm's new orders taken in 2010 included 32 for its A380, with customers showing faith in the superjumbo following the engine problem which forced a Qantas A380 to turn back to Singapore in November.

Adjusting for cancellations, Airbus sold a net total of 574 planes worth $74bn in 2010 compared with Boeing's 530, giving the European manufacturer a 52 per cent world market share of aircraft of 100 seats or more. It actually delivered 510 commercial aircraft in 2010 compared with 498 in 2009.

Airbus president and chief executive Tom Enders said: "2010 was a good year, in fact better than expected 12 months ago.The market rebound and improved programme performance has been particularly encouraging.

"However, with plenty of challenges, especially in our development programmes, we'll have to work hard to further improve and also make 2011 a successful year for Airbus."

Airbus and Boeing share the commercial market for large airplanes but face challenges from Canada, China, Russia and Brazil.