Airbus has been able to weather one of the toughest episodes in aviation history by reporting a rise in aircraft deliveries for the first six months of 2009. However, reports now come in that show that the worst could still be yet to come for Airbus.

New orders for the current period show a massive shrinking of 86 percent to just 68 orders. This is compared to the 487 orders for the same period last year.

However, Airbus does point out that in 2008 the 483 aircrafts delivered was a record for them, and it even beat out its main rival Boeing to the top spot as the world’s largest plane maker. They also are keeping their order forecast for this year, which is 300 new Airbus orders in 2009, although they do admit that this goal will be challengingly to say the least in the current market environment.

Of course, the parent company of Airbus, EADS, has reported a drop in its first half profits as well. They say that they have seen a slump in military orders and product delays of its A400M.

Aircraft orders in the first half of 2009 are said to have dropped by €17.2 billion, which is down from €51.2 billion a year earlier. The first half earnings before interest and taxes fell by 23 percent to €888 million. This is blamed on foreign exchange and the low prices of aircrafts around the world.

The travel market as a whole has been hit hard by the recession, and it shows no signs of stopping just yet.