Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer, has said that it aims to match the orders received by rival Boeing by the end of the year.

Airbus is currently behind by about 200 aircraft. The chief commercial officer of Airbus John Leahy said that the company would end the year on a 50-50 basis and also told reporters that he is reiterating his forecast for 200 orders for the A350, due in 2010.

Boeing has reportedly received more than 700 orders so far in 2005 while Airbus has about 500.

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