Boeing Co. said on Friday that AWAS, an airplane leasing company, has ordered 31 of its single-aisle 737-800 jets worth about $2.3 billion at list prices.

The Dubai-based AWAS hopes to buy more of the Next Generation 737s as it continues to grow, said AWAS president and chief executive Franklin Pray.

The Boeing's best-selling 737 airplanes has a record of 1,146 firm orders so far this year but still trailing European rival Airbus for the year.

Following its recent acquisition of Pegasus Aviation Finance, AWAS is now among the largest aircraft leasing companies in the world. AWAS owns and manages 315 airplanes and serves approximately 129 airline customers around the world.

Dubai