Emirates (EK, Dubai International) has signed a commitment with Boeing (BOE, Washington National) for the purchase of forty B787-10s. Announced during the 2017 Dubai Airshow, the order will see deliveries run from 2022 through to the 2030s.

"Some of these will be replacements so that we maintain a young and efficient fleet, and others will power our future network growth," Sheik Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said in a statement. "We see the 787 as a great complement to our 777 and A380 fleet, providing us with more flexibility to serve a range of destinations as we develop our global route network."

Emirates said the agreement includes conversion rights to switch the aircraft to B787-9s, offering it "additional flexibility for its future fleet and global network".

During the show, Reuters also reported that the Dubai-based carrier was close to signing a deal with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) for between thirty-six and thirty-eight A380-800s. Sources who spoke to the agency said the deal, if signed, would likely require the Europeans to buy back some earlier model A380s as they leave the Emirates fleet.