AVIATION/ AIRBUS AHEAD OF BOEING IN 2009

Airbus announced that it beat rival Boeing in aircraft production in 2009, maintaining its place as the world's largest planemaker, but warned that a troubled military transport jet program is endangering the rest of the company. CEO Tom Enders said Airbus should cancel the delayed and over-budget A400M military plane, pictured above, if customer governments fail to commit more funds soon because it is swallowing money and valuable resources. The issue overshadowed the news that Airbus delivered a record 498 aircraft in 2009, above its 2008 tally of 483 and Boeing's score of 481. The increase masks what Enders called a "big disappointment" with Airbus' newest plane, the A380 superjumbo, which has suffered from costly delays. Airbus only managed to deliver 10 A380s last year, well below its initial goal of 18, and Enders said the program will be "a financial liability" for years to come. At the same time, the hulking gray A400M turboprop, which made its first flight only last month, is costing euro100 million ($145 million) each month and valuable engineering resources, Enders said.