Airbus's 2002 order intake has passed 300, putting it well ahead of Boeing thanks to EasyJet's confirmation of its 120-aircraft A319 order as the year ended. The manufacturer recorded 19 cancellations during the 11 months to the end of November. Boeing's order tally by late December had reached 174 orders net of 47 cancellations. The EasyJet deal, which still has to be approved by the low-cost carrier's shareholders, was agreed last October following intense competition between Airbus and Boeing for the fleet-expansion order. EasyJet says the contract for the CFM International CFM56-powered aircraft is on "substantially similar" terms to those previously announced, including a sizeable discount on the A319's $50 million list price (Flight International, 22-28 October).
Source: Flight International
