China Southern Airlines has finalized an order with Boeing for 12 787-9s.

“China Southern has been a long-standing Boeing customer and we truly appreciate their confidence in the 787,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Northeast Asia sales at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787-9 will help the airline achieve a new level of efficiency and profitability.”

China Southern was the first airline customer to operate the 787 in China, and has already taken delivery of all 10 it ordered. The airline has used the new type to launch routes from its Guangzhou hub to Auckland, Christchurch, London, Perth, Rome and Vancouver.

The carrier is the largest airline in China by fleet size and operates a fleet of more than 500 aircraft, including 737s, 747s, 757s, 777s and 787s.