Airbus, Boeing Cross Wings at Air Show

Rival aircraft producers Airbus and Boeing landed a slew of new orders at a gigantic air show that began today outside Paris. The biennial air show, the largest in the world, takes place as the airline industry begins to turn around; after two years of losses, profits this year are expected to top $5 billion, the AP reports.

US Airways will buy 92 planes from Airbus. Qatar purchased $16 billion worth of aircraft from the European company, including 80 A380s; engineering problems have delayed Airbus' signature double-decker model for 2 years. Boeing struck a deal with GE, selling four 777 freighters totaling $1.42B. At the last air show, in 2005, Airbus' sales were double Boeing's. (More Airbus stories.)