Airbus, Boeing announced USD20b orders

(MENAFN) Airbus and Boeing got their sales war off to a flying start at the world's premier air show near Paris this week with nearly USD20 billion in orders, AFP reported.

French President Francois Hollande inaugurated the week-long Paris Air Show, which is expected to draw 315,000 visitors and 2,260 exhibitors from 47 countries.

France-based Airbus got the competition going with two big deals: anUSD8 billion order for 50 planes from Saudi Arabian Airlines, and a USD6.4 billion order for 60 of the upcoming A320neos by GE Capital Aviation.

Meanwhile, the Chicago-based aerospace maker Boeing followed up with the announcement that Qatar Airways had ordered 14 777s worth USD4.8 billion.