Boeing tops Airbus with roaring sales at close of U.K. airshow

LONDON - Boeing announced orders for hundreds more planes than Europe-based Airbus in this year's Farnborough International Airshow amid a surge in demand for both cargo and passenger jets.

U.S.-based Boeing announced a total of 673 orders and commitments for planes, compared with 571 at last year's Paris Air Show, which alternates with Farnborough as the aviation industry's premier showcase.

Airbus said it received orders and commitments for 431 aircraft, compared with 326 at the Paris event.

The world's two biggest commercial aircraft makers together reported firm orders and commitments for future purchases worth tens of billions of dollars as the show's commercial side ended Thursday.

Boeing says its total reflects "resurgence in demand for freighters and strong order activity for the 737 MAX and 787 passenger airplanes."

Airbus says it saw "strong market appetite for all our leading aircraft product families."

Among the orders announced by Boeing:

- A commitment for 100 new Boeing 737 MAX jetliners was made by still-undisclosed customer. The deal is valued at nearly $12 billion.

- Two other undisclosed airlines reached an agreement to buy a total of 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners valued at $4.2 billion at current prices.

- An order for 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners was made by Hawaiian Airlines, with a value of $2.8 billion at list prices. The deal also includes purchase rights for an additional 10 Dreamliners.

- British Airways made a commitment to buy three Boeing 777 extended range jets for its long-haul fleet.

- Novus Aviation Capital, a Dubai-based aircraft leasing company, made its first direct order for up to four Boeing 777-300 extended range jetliners. The deal is worth a reported $1.44 billion.

- Four unnamed customers signed commitments for a total of 93 Boeing 737 MAX airliners, including one carrier that has committed to 40 of the high-capacity version of the MAX 8 airplane. The deals are worth a combined $11 billion.

- Goshawk Aviation Limited announced an order for 20 Boeing 737 MAX jetliners. The order, valued at $2.3 billion according to current list prices, marks the first time the aircraft leasing agent has purchased jets directly from Boeing.

- Jackson Square Aviation announced an order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX planes. The $3.5 billion order also marks that leasing company's first direct order from a jetmaker.

- Brazilian carrier GOL Airlines converted an order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets to the 737 MAX 10, which will allow the airline to comfortably serve more than 30 additional passengers on each flight.

- TAROM, the national carrier of Romania, signed an order for five 737 MAX 8 airplanes in a deal worth an estimated $586 million.

- Boeing and Qatar Airways finalized an order for five 777 freighters in a deal valued at $1.7 billion at current list prices.