Dogfight begins at the Paris Air Show

Paris: Ear-splitting air displays are the main draw for the thousands of plane enthusiasts preparing to attend the Paris Air Show this week, but the most important activity takes place on the ground.
As fighter jets demonstrate their agility overhead, a real-life dogfight between the world's biggest civilian aircraft makers, Airbus of Europe and U.S. -based Boeing, will unfold below in the corporate hospitality stands.
Boeing and Airbus announced new orders worth US$48 billion (36 billion euros) at the last Paris show in 2005 and will be looking to clinch more business this week.
In Paris this week, Airbus is hoping to kickstart orders for the A350 and is promising 200 new orders before the end of the year.
"It (2007) will be the year of orders for the A350," according to Airbus's sales director, John Leahy.
Indian group Kingfisher Airlines, which ordered five A380s and five A350s at the Paris show in 2005, has said it will place another order for more planes, which press reports say will include both models.
18/06/07 Adam Plowright/ AFP/China Post, Taiwan

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Categories: Airshow Paris 2007, Foreign Jun 2007