Boeing and EVA Airways closed on a firm order for eighteen 787-10 Dreamliners and two 777-300ERs, the companies announced Tuesday. Worth up to $8 billion at current list prices, the contract also includes options on six more 787-10s and marks the largest single commercial airplane purchase in Taiwan aviation.

“EVA participated in development of the Boeing 777-300ER and became a launch customer in 2005,” said EVA president Austin Cheng. “From that first delivery through today, we operate 22 of these high-performance long-haul aircraft. We believe the future of the airline industry will be built on fuel efficiency and cabin comfort. The new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner's high fuel efficiency and long-range flying capabilities meet these requirements and our operational needs. These planes will support our growth well into the future.”

Plans call for deliveries to start in 2017 with the pair of 777s and continue into 2022. EVA Airways becomes the newest Dreamliner customer and will become one of the first airlines in the world to introduce the 787-10 into revenue service. Scheduled for certification in 2018, the 787-10 has now drawn firm orders for 164 examples from nine customers.

Now flying 64 airplanes including 22 Boeing 777-300ERs, EVA Airways expects to see its fleet expand to comprise more than 100 units by 2020. It plans to deploy the 787-10s on medium-range routes and in long-haul markets in tandem with the 777-300ERs. With Tuesday’s order, EVA's backlog includes fourteen 777-300ERs and five 777 freighters along with the eighteen 787-10s.