Airbus sales are taking off as airlines recover

Airbus reckons it is on target to sell 300 planes this year despite the collapse in confidence of airlines during the recession.

EADS chief operating officer John Leahy said there were signs of recovery in the industry and added Airbus was running at record production levels of 490 planes a year.

Speaking at the Dubai air show, Leahy said he had won commitments at the jamboree worth $5.3 billion (£3.2 billion), including orders for two A380 superjumbos from Air Austral.

Emirates said earlier this week it was discussing orders for "tens" of planes from Airbus or Boeing.

However, Leahy said he remained slightly cautious, potentially lowering production levels from 34 to 32 a month.