05-Jul-2010 4:19 PM

Bombardier gets boost from Lufthansa order, Airbus reports 250 deliveries in 1H2010

Bombardier shares rose 3.1% on Friday after Lufthansa announced an order for eight CRJ900 regional jets. The order is a boost for the CRJ programme, in which Bombardier has been striving hard to keep production up and avoid cutting more staff in Montreal.

Lufthansa exercised eight of its previously announced purchase rights for the CRJ, having already ordered 109 CRJ series jets. Lufthansa also operates Bombardier Q300 and Q400 turboprops. The carrier also has orders for 30 of Bombardier’s new CSeries large regional jet.

Airbus reports first half deliveries

Meanwhile, Airbus announced it has delivered 250 aircraft over the first six months of 2010. The manufacturer, the main operating unit of EADS, expects full-year deliveries to be slightly more than the 483 it delivered in 2009.

The company delivered 201 A320s, 40 A330s, two A340s and seven A380s. Airbus hopes to deliver 20 A380s this year.

Orders in 1H2010 totaled 117. Airbus sold 35 A320s, 23 A330s, two A340s and 32 A380s (all the A380s were in a single order with Emirates). Airbus reported a strong Jun-2010 – with commitments for 44 aircraft – but orders are still well down on levels during 2006-2008.

Airbus expects more ordering in the second half of the year, although it is expected to be well behind deliveries. The Farnborough Air Show, in mid-Jul-2010, will be a key bellwether.

EADS shares were down 3.6% in trading on Friday.

Selected Aviation suppliers’ daily share price movements (% change): 02-Jul-2010