Cairo-based EgyptAir has inked a deal to purchase eight new Boeing 737NGs, with first delivery expected in February 2017, according to an EgyptAir statement.

The aircraft will be financed by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.

“This new agreement, which implies adding new eight Boeing Next-Generation 737s to our fleet, will commemorate the mutual effort gathering both Boeing and EgyptAir, which dated back since 1969. The delivery of this new order will help us maintain EgyptAir’s global flight schedule and continue to deliver a consistently great performance for our customers,” EgyptAir chairman and CEO Safwat Musallam said at the signing in Cairo.

He added the deal “will provide us the competitive edge to achieve our growth targets and help us strengthen our presence in a wider region. The new aircraft will help us in unlocking new international routes, thus providing a springboard for network expansion in the years to come.”

EgyptAir said it currently operates 20 Boeing Next Generation 737s and the eight new aircraft will comprise the largest single-aisle aircraft type in its fleet. The airline also has six 777-300ERs and two 777-200ERs.

EgyptAir said it forecasts significant fleet growth by 2025.