PARIS, France (AP):

Airbus said yesterday it won orders for 824 air- liners in 2006, falling behind Boeing Company, which won 1,050, for the first time since 2000.

The European aircraft maker delivered 434 planes during the year - 36 more than its US-based rival - to remain the number one commercial jet maker for the fourth straight year.

Airbus' parent, European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company (EADS) also said yesterday that the plane maker will post a loss before interest and taxes in 2006 due to charges related to its delayed A380 programme and restructuring.

"2006 was clearly a turning point for us," said Louis Gallois, chief executive of Airbus and co-CEO of EADS.

"2007 will be the year for Airbus to face reality and for it to implement all the measures necessary" to deliver on promised restructuring targets.

"What we want above all is to restore confidence with our customers and our suppliers by delivering on promises," he said.

Focus on financial outlook

Gallois also said Airbus forecasts 440-450 plane deliveries this year.

Investors sent EADS shares down 3.5 per cent to €24.83 (US$32.14) in Paris trading, apparently focusing more on the company's financial outlook.

In a statement ahead of Airbus' annual news conference, EADS said it was still working on the 2006 financial accounts, but that Airbus was very likely to produce a negative EBIT before goodwill.

"Certain one-time charges in relation to settlements with customers, impairment of assets, or financial impacts of Power8 originally expected to occur in 2007 and after are now foreseen to be recognised as early as 2006," EADS said. "Furthermore, additional A380 charges not originally envisaged could apply as well."

Power8 is the company's ongoing, wide-ranging restructuring and cost-cutting programme. Many details of the programme are still to be announced.