Airbus, Boeing bag new contracts at air show

LE BOURGET, France - The Associated Press

This file computer image provided by Airbus shows an A320neo jet. AP photo

Airbus benefited Tuesday from airlines' worries about sky-high fuel prices, winning new orders for its more fuel-efficient planes at the Paris Air Show as it jockeyed with Boeing for the spot as world's biggest planemaker.

Airbus is getting lots of attention for its A320neo, a revamped version of the workhorse A320 family of single-aisle short and medium haul aircraft but with more fuel-efficient engines. As fuel prices have jumped higher this year, the plane has become the company's fastest selling model.

Airbus said Tuesday it received a commitment for 50 of its A320neos from U.S. aircraft leasing company CIT Group. A321neos have a list price of about $106 million, valuing the deal at up to $5.3 billion.

The planemaker also received an order for 6 A321neo aircraft from Taiwanese airline TransAsia Airways.

Rival Boeing countered with more than $11 billion worth of orders and commitments for 56 of its jets, including an order by Qatar Airways for six of its 777 jets in a $1.7 billion deal.