AEROSPACE workers in Deeside can expect good news at this week's Farnborough air show, which begins today.

Despite hot competition from rival Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, Airbus is expected to announce a clutch of orders at the world’s biggest air show and company managers have said they are considering raising production levels.

Wings for all the Airbus range of aircraft are built at the Broughton plant, near Chester. More than 6,000 people are employed at the factory and further orders could create more jobs.

Speaking at a pre-show seminar in London, chief operating officer John Leahy said Airbus had received 131 orders so far this year.

“I am hoping by the weekend we will have doubled that. We will have a number of orders to reveal. You’ll be surprised by some of the announcements,” he said.

Analysts believe most orders will be from leasing companies and Asian and Latin American airlines. Most are likely to be for the manufacturer's popular A320 family that can carry up to 200 passengers and the A330 long- range aircraft, but Leahy did not rule out orders for the A380 superjumbo or the A350XWB.

“We got an order for 32 of the A380 from Emirates earlier this year. That’s a pretty good number, but we may get one or two more orders this year. We have now sold 234 of the aircraft to 17 airlines. It’s a game changing aircraft.

“And the economics are amazing. Singapore Airlines have found the cash operating costs are 21% lower with the A380 than the Boeing 747.

“On the Sydney to Los Angeles route, Qantas swapped a Boeing 747 for an A380, increasing capacity by 47% but lowering costs by 23%. Airlines are making a lot of money with the A380. We're not, but we're getting there, hopefully by 2014.

“Air travel remains a growth market.

“Every 15 years it doubles and we are well placed in the areas of the world where growth is likely to take place even faster,” said Mr Leahy.

Yesterday, Boeing flew the Dreamliner to Farnborough. It was the first time the aircraft has been seen outside the USA.