Airbus Group NV said its aircraft deliveries rose 2.7% from a year earlier in the first six months of 2014, though the figure left it trailing rival Boeing Co. by that measure.

The Toulouse-based plane maker delivered 303 planes in the period, and said it expects to deliver about the same number this year as in 2013, when it handed over 626 jets.

Boeing on Thursday said it delivered 342 jets in the first half, as the Chicago-based manufacturer seeks to retain the title of world's largest airplane maker.

Airbus said it booked 290 net orders in the first six months. It added 209 A320 commitments last month, though cancellations surged after Emirates Airline voided a contract for 70 A350 long-range jets valued at more than $21 billion at current list prices. Airbus had 225 order cancellations in the first half of the year.

Airbus and Boeing are poised to see their multiyear order backlogs swell further this month at the Farnborough International Airshow outside London, the aerospace industry's flagship gathering this year. Aircraft makers usually win large order commitments from airlines and lessors at the event.

Last month's order intake included 80 A320 jets to an undisclosed buyer, including purchases of the A320neo model that features new engines and is due to enter service next year. It secured a further 70 A320neo orders in May from another unnamed buyer to maintain an edge over the Boeing 737 Max.

Plane makers will likely secure more than 500 orders at the event that starts July 14, said Tom Captain, the head of Deloitte LLP's global aerospace practice. That" would be down slightly from the figure at last year's June air show outside Paris as plane makers went on to achieve record bookings in 2013, he said.

Airbus and Boeing have recently benefited from a wave of orders as European and U.S. airlines seek to buy more fuel-efficient jets to replace gas guzzlers, while airlines in growth markets are buying aircraft to satisfy expansion.

Chinese airlines have been among the biggest buyers of airplanes this year, with Boeing securing a wave of orders for its 737 single-aisle plane while Airbus won commitments for its rival A320 and A330 long-range jet.

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

Boeing (NYSE:BA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024 Click Here for more Boeing Charts.
Boeing (NYSE:BA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024 Click Here for more Boeing Charts.