Airbus chief commercial officer John Leahy predicted that new orders for Airbus

During a news conference in Auckland, Airbus chief commercial officer John Leahy predicted that new orders for Airbus aircraft in 2008 will fall to 750 units because of rising fuel costs and the current credit crunch. Last year, Airbus reported a record of 1,341 orders. Mr Leahy pointed out that fuel costs, which represent 28 % of airline operating expenses, rose 16 % in the past quarter. Seattle Post Intelligencer (09/04)