Rival plane makers Boeing and Airbus notched up combined contracts worth over $ 16

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billion on the second day of the Paris Air Show here today, signalling return of positivity in the aviation sector which was hit hard by the economic downturn.

European plane maker Airbus dominated the air show bagging nearly 100 orders and commitments for its A320neo passenger planes, estimated at around $ 8.3 billion at list prices while Boeing sealed orders for 40 planes worth $ 7.2 billion at list prices.

Airbus got the biggest contract of the day from New York-based airline JetBlue Airways 40 A320neo aircraft.

Indonesian Airline Garuda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the purchase of 25 A320 family aircraft. Airbus said the A320 neo engines save airlines 15 per cent in fuel costs which translate into some 3,600 tonnes less CO2 per aircraft per year.

It has the ability to carry two tonnes more payload comparing aircraft of similar category.

Airbus' rival Boeing bagged a contract for eight 777-300ERs (Extended Range) worth $ 2.3 billion while it won another contract worth $ 1.2 billion for 15 737-800s.

The US plane maker also announced an MoU with GE Capital Aviation Services for supply of eight 777-300ERs and two 747-8 freighters worth over $ 2 billion.

The new 747-8 is one of the main attractions at the Air Show and is the largest plane ever built by the US aerospace giant.

Boeing and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), China's largest state-owned aviation company, today announced that they will open the AVIC-Boeing Manufacturing Innovation Center (MIC) in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province of China. The AVIC-Boeing MIC will enhance Boeing's production system by increasing AVIC's efficiency and capacity to supply high-quality parts for Boeing airplanes.

The MIC will also support AVIC's goals of improving its manufacturing and technological capabilities and the competiveness of its affiliated factories.

It was also announced today that Boeing has awarded a contract to produce 737 rudders to Chengfei Commercial Aircraft Co (CCAC), an AVIC company located in Chengdu, China.

Russia has also tried to capture customers in the civilian as well as military aerospace sector.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited the show today, in a bid to promote Russia's aerospace industries as well to promote commercial success of civilian aircraft Sukhoi 100 superjet.