Airbus has formally cancelled the 65-strong A319 order from collapsed US start-up Skybus Airlines.

Columbus-based Skybus ceased operations in April. Lessor BOC Aviation picked up valuable production slots from the carrier as part of an A320 order earlier this month.

The cancellations are detailed in the European manufacturer's aircraft orders summary for October 2008, which also shows a further six executive A318s as being delisted from the books.

October generated a small number of orders for the manufacturer including four A319s from Croatia Airlines and confirmation of an A340-500 from a private customer, as well as four A330 airframes for military use.

Overall gross orders reached 794 by the end of October, although a total of 119 cancellations this year brings the net figure to 675.

"The last three years have been record ones for the aviation industry and, just because order levels are returning to a usual level, does not mean it is the end of the world," says Airbus chief operating officer John Leahy.

"Airbus has a healthy, record backlog of 3,700 aircraft so any slowdown will not have a dramatic impact on production."

Spain's Grupo Marsans has this month firmed an order for 61 Airbus aircraft.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news