DUBAI (Reuters) – European planemaker Airbus has received a provisional order from Air Lease (NYSE.) Corp for seven A350 cargo jets. This is a step up in its efforts to compete with Boeing (NYSE.) Corp for a larger share of the booming global cargo market.

Since the pandemic in 2001, e-commerce has grown rapidly. However, international regulations on aircraft emissions will put pressure on freight companies to upgrade their fleets.

John Plueger (Air Lease Chief Executive) stated, “It’s very obvious that… ecommerce is a very stabilising and growing factor in freighter markets place.”

A letter of intention for freighters was signed on Monday at Dubai Airshow. The document includes more than 100 passenger aircraft: 25 A220-300s; 55 A321neos; 20 A321XLRs; and four wide body A330neos.

Airbus confirmed that the deal will close in the next few months.

ALC and Airbus said that they would create a multimillion-dollar ESG fund to support sustainable aviation development.

Boeing expects to release a rival freighter version within weeks of the wide-body passenger aircraft’s 777X. Boeing stated on Sunday that it is in advance talks with potential customers.