The order is worth more than $2,250 million under current list prices. Alafco will take delivery of the aircraft over the coming four years. Production of the Dreamliner is not due to start until later this year, with the first deliveries scheduled for 2008.

In addition to the aircraft order, the leasing firm also signed two orders, worth more than $625 million, with the US' GE Aviation and the US/French CFM International for engines to power the new aircraft.

The GE deal, valued at $530 million, will supply its GEnx engines for the Dreamliners. CFM, a joint venture of GE and France's Snecma, will supply its CFM56-7B engines for the 737 aircraft.

Kuwait Finance House is the main shareholder in Alafco.