![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/250000/images/_253010_airbus_a320_150.jpg)
Airbus's results show sharp rises in sales and orders for its planes, just weeks after Boeing said it planned to cut jobs and production levels.
The European concern received 556 firm orders for new aircraft worth £23.5bn ($39bn), up from 460 orders worth £17.9bn ($29.6bn) the previous year.
Airbus, also owned by France's Aerospatiale, Spain's Construcciones Aeronauticas and Germany's DaimlerChrysler Aerospace is the main competitor for America's Boeing.
Airbus president Noel Forgeard said: "I am happy that the year 1998 allowed Airbus to reach its goal of achieving about 50% of the world market."
Sales in 1998 came from 36 customers, 14 of which had never bought directly from Airbus before.
Strong Asia sales
Sales were strong in Latin and North America, Europe and the Middle East, while Airbus continues to further its presence in Asia despite the ongoing economic crisis in the region.
The plane-manufacturer said demand had been strong for second-hand aircraft, helping increase the number of Airbus Industrie operators by 10% to 160 by the end of 1998.
The most popular line was the A319, A320 and A321, with orders placed for 497.
Commenting on Europe's new single currency, Mr Forgeard said clients will have the choice whether to buy planes in euros or US dollars.
In Boeing's slipstream
Airbus Industrie said it received firm orders for 556 passenger jets in 1998, 100 fewer than the 656 orders worth $42.1bn already announced by Boeing.
But Airbus and Boeing regularly dispute each other's reporting methods.
Airbus has accused Boeing of lumping firm orders with non-binding commitments to swell its numbers, while the US company objects to Airbus's market-share claims based on total numbers of aircraft.
![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/250000/images/_253010_2newboeings150.jpg)
Boeing has a near-monopoly in the high-margin market with its large 777 twinjets and 747 jumbos, allowing it to outsell Airbus in dollar terms.
Airbus says it wants to win a half share of the world market in both aircraft and in value.
Airbus's 1998 turnover totalled $13.3bn with 229 aircraft delivered, up from $11.6bn in 1997.
Boeing has disappointed the stock market with recent profit warnings and plans to scale back production that will involve lay-offs of up to 48,000 workers.
It blames the Asian crisis for its problems and Airbus's aggressive pricing policy. Airbus rejects the charges, saying Boeing's problems stem from what it calls its inability to forecast market demand and keep control of manufacturing processes. "Airbus Industrie's stated goal is to maintain its strong share of approximately half the commercial market, while improving profitability," the consortium said.
TWA leaves Boeing in the cold
(09 Dec 98 | The Company File)
Boeing in a tailspin
(04 Dec 98 | The Company File)
Boeing faces five years of pain
(02 Dec 98 | The Company File)
Rivals in the air
(14 Aug 98 | The Company File)
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Microsoft trial mediator welcomed
Vodafone takeover battle heats up
Christmas turkey strike vote
NatWest bid timetable frozen
France faces EU action over electricity
Pace enters US cable heartland
Mannesmann fights back
Storehouse splits up Mothercare and Bhs
The rapid rise of Vodafone
The hidden shopping bills
Europe's top net stock
Safeway faces cash demand probe
Mitchell intervenes to help shipyard
New factory creates 500 jobs
Drugs company announces 300 jobs
BT speeds internet access
ICL creates 1,000 UK jobs
National Power splits in two
NTT to slash workforce
Scoot links up with Vivendi
New freedom for Post Office
Insolvent firms to get breathing space
Airtours profits jump 12%
Freeserve shares surge
LVMH buys UK auction house
Rover - a car firm's troubles