Airbus Sales Pull Even With Boeing

Airbus Industrie confirmed a 124-plane order by US Airways Group Inc., raising the possibility the European aircraft maker may tie or top Boeing Co. in new orders for only the second time in its 26-year history.

The $6.2 billion contract, which has options that could take the order to as many as 400 aircraft, brings Airbus closer to its goal of consistently winning half of the world’s plane orders. It edged out Boeing 125 orders to 120 in 1994, although the U.S. company came back to capture 70 percent of the market last year.

“It’s a significant order for Airbus,” said Chris Avery of Paribas Capital Markets Group. “In the North American market, where Airbus had not done well, it’s very important for sentiment.”

Airbus estimated this latest order would bring its sales to about 400 planes, though a precise figure wasn’t available; Boeing has received 415 orders this year.