Regional plane maker ATR, a joint venture of EADS and Finmeccanica, is keeping to its sales target of over USD$1.3 billion for 2008, despite concerns over the impact of the financial crisis on the airline industry, a senior executive said on Thursday.

ATR also continues to expect 50 aircraft orders this year, including eight in the first half, sales chief Mario Formica said on the sidelines of the World Air Transport Forum in Paris. This compared with a record 113 aircraft last year.

Toulouse-based ATR has said it expects to deliver more than 60 turboprop planes this year, compared with the 44 in 2007 which generated sales of USD$1.1 billion.

"We are seeing a wait-and-see attitude and caution among airlines but our customers have not reversed their decisions, the prospects are there," Formica said.

"The economic environment is difficult but long-term demand for turboprop aircraft remains strong," he added.

Still, it was too early to give any forecasts for next year.

The chief executive of EADS, which also owns European plane maker Airbus, told RTL radio this week the broad economic slowdown would have consequences for airlines, although he had not seen a wave of plane order cancellations.

The financial crisis could hurt demand for helicopters and satellite and military equipment, Louis Gallois said.