Paris (dispatches) - Airbus sales chief John Leahy scoffed at Boeing's claims about the efficiency of a new 737 jet that has been grabbing orders and headlines at the Paris Airshow, but played down expectations of a last-minute comeback to win the event.
Speaking to media on day three of the June 19-25 show, Leahy said: "We will have some orders today, but today's isn't going to be one of our record air shows."
Regarding orders that Airbus could get over the rest of the show, Leahy added that such deals would be "nothing big, but real stuff" - an indirect reference to conversions from existing models that account for more than half of the orders announced so far for Boeing's newly launched 737 MAX 10.
Boeing leads the race for net new orders at the air show.
Industry watchers said the veteran Airbus sales chief could pull off a signature last-minute deal to avoid an unusual defeat at the European company's home event.