European aircraft maker Airbus received 117 firm orders for passenger jets in the first half of 2006, compared with 276 orders in the same period of 2005, according to figures published Monday on its web site.

Meanwhile its US rival Boeing reported 480 orders on July 5, compared with 441 orders for the first half of the year 2005.

Boeing is winning the race in the long-haul market with its 787 model, which is being marketed to airlines as a fuel efficient, medium-sized jet, while Airbus has had to redesign its A350 aircraft, which it hoped would rival the Boeing 787.

Airbus also suffered from the announcement in June that it had production problems with the A380 that would result in delays to its deliveries.

The world's biggest airliner had only 159 orders since its launch and has received no new orders since the beginning of the year 2006.

Source: Xinhua