Not to be outdone by the Airbus mega-deal announced earlier in the day, Boeing and flydubai have signed an agreement for 225 737 MAX aircraft with a list price value of $27bn, described by Boeing as the largest-ever single-aisle jet order – by number of airplanes and total value – from a Middle East carrier.

Signed at the 2017 Dubai Airshow, the agreement includes a commitment for 175 MAX airplanes, and purchase rights for 50 additional MAXs. When finalized, the purchase promises to sustain tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Boeing's U.S. factories and network of suppliers.

More than 50 of the first 175 airplanes will be 737 MAX 10s, the newest and largest member of the 737 MAX family. The balance of the initial airplane order will be made up of MAX 8s and MAX 9s.

This new deal surpasses flydubai's previous record order of 75 MAXs and 11 Next-Generation 737-800s which was signed at the 2013 Dubai Airshow.

Flydubai placed its first order for 50 Next-Generation 737-800s in 2008 and was the first airline to introduce the Boeing Sky Interior into service. To date, flydubai has taken delivery of 63 737-800s and three 737 MAX 8 airplanes.

Emirates and flydubai — both of which are owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) sovereign wealth fund — recently unveiled an extensive partnership including integrated network collaboration The two airlines said they will continue to be managed independently, but will take advantage of each other’s network to scale up operations and accelerate growth.