AIRSHOW-WRAPUP 2-Delayed jets set to fly, pledge Boeing, Airbus

* Airbus, Boeing aim to fly delayed models this year

* Airbus parent EADS posts 77 pct fall in core earnings

* Emirates weighing plane orders

* Mideast seen helping industry rebound

(For a Take A Look on the Dubai Air Show, click [ID:nAIRSHOW])

By Martina Fuchs and Tim Hepher

DUBAI, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus (EAD.PA), hurt by delays in new models, are vowing to get the overdue 787 Dreamliner and A400M military transport plane into the air by year end. The maiden flights would offer a welcome boost for the world's top two planemakers, which are grappling with sluggish demand in the wake of the financial crisis, as seen at this week's Dubai air show.

"I am confident that we will have a first flight by the end of the year," Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders told Reuters Television.

Airbus parent EADS reported a 77 percent drop in third-quarter core earnings on Monday, hit by the delay of the A400M, softer airliner demand and the adverse effect of a weak dollar. [ID:nLE66576]

Enders also said production on the A380 superjumbo was still slower than hoped for. [ID:nLG331496]

"There is no secret about it. We are still having production hiccups. Production is not where we want to it to be," he said.

The Dubai air show showcases a Gulf region that has helped offset slowdowns in North America and Europe and led demand for planes including the A380.

"The Middle East market encompasses all aircraft segments and is a barometer for the rest of the world," said John Leahy, Airbus' chief operating officer. "The recovery begins here."

Emirates [EMAIR.UL] and other carriers in the region are still shopping, but business is slower than recent years.

Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum told reporters at the event that Emirates was in talks with Boeing and Airbus to buy "tens of planes" as the airline prepares for the global recovery. [ID:nLG374627]

"There won't be anything at the air show (but) we are talking to Boeing and Airbus," he said. "It would be in the 10s of planes ... I think we can say 777s (from Boeing) and could be A330s on the Airbus side."