 The A380 super-jumbo is set to start passenger flights in 2006 |
European aerospace firm EADS has reported strong profits for the first nine months of 2004, boosted by sales in its Airbus plane-making subsidiary. The company said net profits were a better-than-expected 597m euros ($766m; �415m), up from 242m euros last year.
The firm, which also saw a turnaround in its space division, said sales had increased by 16% to 21.5bn euros.
Budget Airlines Niki and Air Berlin also announced an order for 70 A320 planes worth 4.2bn euro (�3bn, $5.4bn).
The airlines took out an option for another 40 of these Airbus planes, which will have a single-class and seat 174 passengers.
The aeroplanes are scheduled for delivery from September 2005 onwards.
New model
EADS raised its full-year operating profits forecast to 2.2bn euros, from 2.1bn euros.
Airbus, which is 80% owned by EADS with BAE Systems owning the remaining 20%, overtook Boeing as the world's top commercial jet maker last year.
EADS said Airbus expects to sell 315 planes in 2004, compared with 284 in 2003.
It added that its new A380 wide-bodied passenger jet is scheduled to make its maiden flight in early 2005 and is expected to start passenger flights the following year.
Airbus sold its 5,000th plane in August, 30 years after receiving its first order from Air France for the A300.
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