PARIS, July 8, 2008 (AFP) - European plane maker Airbus led arch-rival Boeing in the fight for new business in the first six months of the year with 487 new orders versus 475 for the US manufacturer, Airbus figures showed Tuesday.

The Toulouse-based group, which shares the market for large commercial airliners with Boeing, said it had received 525 orders in the period up to the end of June and 38 cancellations, making for a net gain of 487.

For deliveries, Airbus also led, with 245 planes handed over to clients compared with 241 for Boeing.