Malaysia Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing for 16 aircraft during the Malaysian prime minister’s visit to the US.

According to Boeing, the agreement consists of an order for eight 787-9s, converted from eight of Malaysia Airlines’ existing 15 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on order, and eight additional purchase rights for the 737 MAX 8. The agreement also includes Boeing’s Global Fleet Care service to maintain the national carrier’s current and future Boeing airplanes.

“Malaysia Airlines is proud to sign this MoU for  the widebody Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and additional 737 MAXs, building on our more than 40 years of partnership with Boeing,” said Peter Bellew, managing director and chief executive officer of Malaysia Airlines. “New widebody aircraft are a key to making Malaysia Airlines a premium airline offering a five-star product again. The extraordinary range of the 787-9 gives an ability to operate to any point in Europe and some USA destinations in the future from Kuala Lumpur. The MoU with Boeing on their Global Fleet Care programme will allow the two companies to build a world-class MRO for the 737 MAX, 787 and 737NG based on Malaysia’s existing facilities in Kuala Lumpur.”

Malaysia Airlines already operates more than 50 Next-Generation 737-800s and recently converted 10 of its 737 MAX 8s on order to the 737 MAX 10 variant at the Paris Air Show in June 2017.