EADS posts profit leap as Airbus orders soar

(PARIS) - European aerospace giant EADS said Tuesday its first quarter profits soared 91 percent from a year ago to 241 million euros ($316 million) amid solid demand for its commercial aircraft.

Orders for the first three months rose to 49.9 billion euros compared to 12 billion during the same period last year, said the parent company of Airbus.

Orders for Airbus' commercial aircraft showed the highest jump, leaping 496 percent.

Sales for the first three months of the year were up 9 percent at 12.4 billion euros, the group added.