Planemakers Boeing and Airbus have both enjoyed a strong recovery in orders in the first three months of this year, in stark contrast with the disastrous start to 2009. Boeing netted 83 orders in the first quarter while its European rival Airbus won 60.

A year ago, Boeing was haemorrhaging orders for the 787 Dreamliner and ended the quarter with its net orders down by four. It lost more 787 orders this year, which made up of the bulk of the 17 cancellations it suffered, although it also booked 15 new orders for the 787 Dreamliner.

The world’s second-largest commercial planemaker booked 71 new orders for 737s in the first three months of 2010, with four cancellations. It also suffered three cancellations of 777s.

By contrast, Airbus suffered no cancellations at the start of this year. The bulk of its 60 orders came from two customers – United Airlines for 25 A350s and Malaysia Airlines for 17 A330s.

Boeing reported a total order backlog of 3,350 aircraft, compared with 3,426 for Airbus.

The European planemaker, the biggest in the world, saw deliveries rise 5% from last year with 122 shipments in the first quarter. This included 100 single-aisle aircraft, but only three A380s as Airbus’ flagship programme continues to struggle.

Boeing's deliveries fell slightly to 108 from 121 last year.

A recovery in air travel demand is bolstering appetite for new jet orders. Passenger traffic is expected to grow at the upper end of an earlier forecast of 3% to 5% this year, Boeing’s marketing chief, Randy Tinseth, told Bloomberg TV last week. Orders this year are expected to match the 142 Boeing had in 2009, he said.

“Airlines are now looking to firm up options, firm up purchase rights and at buying new planes,” Tinseth said. “We’re seeing fewer deferrals, we’re seeing fewer delays, we’re starting to have more talks with our airline customers.”

Boeing plans to ramp up production next year in an attempt to snatch the No. 1 title from rival Airbus. It has suffered cuts after the worst recession in six decades pushed 2009 orders to a 15-year low and is delivering just two product lines at present. But next year, when 747-8 and 787 shipments begin, the US planemaker could push output above its rival.

Airlines around the world are expected to run up combined losses of $2.8bn this year, after racking up $9.4bn in losses in 2009, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Boeing expects airlines in Asia will place more orders from 2011 and sees China and India, the world’s two fastest-growing major economies, as the “most promising” markets for the company in the next two to three years, Tinseth said.