Airbus chief executive, Thomas Enders, has called on governments to provide financing for airlines to buy planes. He said aircraft makers don’t need direct government bailouts, but instead want state support for their customers and the smaller companies that supply parts.

Aircraft makers are struggling as airlines around the world defer and cancel aircraft orders as a result of the sharp fall-off in cargo and passenger demand. Airbus earlier this year said it would shrink production of its single-aisle A320 planes while its US rival, Boeing, said recently it would cut production of 777s by 29 per cent next year.

The aviation industry estimates a US$10 billion to $20 billion shortfall in the financing needed to support 950 to 1,000 Airbus and Boeing deliveries scheduled for this year.

Earlier this year, the French government offered €5 billion in loans to help airlines buy Airbus aircraft.