London  - European airplane manufacturer Airbus, its order books filled with new contracts at the Farnborough air show, said Thursday the aerospace market remained strong despite the problems in the world economy.

Airbus said it had so far booked 247 firm orders, plus options for nine further aircraft, in chalking up 40.5 billion dollars' worth of new orders at this year's air show.

"This sales success also shows how strong the aviation and aerospace market currently is irrespective of the worldwide economic uncertainties," the company commented. (dpa)