UAE-based airline Emirates has revealed a $15.1bn commitment to acquire 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft.

The latest deal will complement Emirates’ Boeing 777 fleet with a medium twin-aisle aircraft that provides 25% more fuel-efficiency per seat and emissions than the planes it replaces.

Emirates expects to take delivery of its new Boeing 777X by 2020.

“It has always been Emirates’ strategy to invest in the most advanced and efficient aircraft, and today’s orders reflect that.”

Emirates Airline and Group chairman and chief executive Ahmed Maktoum said: “Emirates’ orders today will be delivered from 2022, taking the airline well into 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.

“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.

“It has always been Emirates’ strategy to invest in the most advanced and efficient aircraft, and today’s orders reflect that.”

Boeing’s 787-10 Dreamliner is 5.5m longer than its 787-9 aircraft and shares more than 95% similarity with its smaller variants.

So far this year, Boeing has received more than 180 new orders and commitments for the 787 aircraft.

In a separate development, Boeing has secured an order from Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) for five additional 787-8 Dreamliners.

The $1.9bn deal includes a commitment to purchase two large freighters.