Airbus logs 1,038 orders to claim lead over Boeing

European plane maker Airbus has logged 1,038 net orders for jets in the first three quarters of this year, according to data published Thursday, putting it way in front of US rival Boeing. Airbus, owned by European group EADS, received 23 orders in September and had no cancellations, despite concerns that airlines might soon face difficulties in raising financing given current market turbulence. For the first nine months of the year the company booked 1,179 orders and had 141 cancellations, including 10 for the A380, leaving it with just two net orders for the superjumbo this year. Boeing was far behind for the same period with just 425 net orders, according to data released on September 27. Airbus delivered 374 aircraft including 16 A380s during the first nine months of the year. Boeing delivered 308 during the first eight months. No value was given for the orders.