Airbus profits climb after Dassault sale

European plane maker Airbus has seen its profits jump in the first quarter thanks to the sale of a stake in rival Dassault Aviation, although its plane orders and deliveries fell slightly.

Airbus reported net profit of €792m in the first quarter, compared with €439m a year earlier.

In the first three months of the year Airbus logged 101 net new orders for jetliners, compared with 103 a year ago, and 110 for chief rival Boeing in the first quarter of 2015.

Airbus revenues in the quarter were €12.1bn, down from €12.6bn in the first quarter of 2014.

The company said the weaker euro helped offset lower delivery volume.

Airbus is forecasting slightly higher orders and deliveries this year.