Dublin-based SMBC Aviation Capital and Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) announced on Sunday an order worth $8.5 billion at list prices for 80 737 MAX 8 aircraft from the leasing company. SMBC is controlled by Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group. Boeing noted that SMBC in now the 50th customer for the re-engined 737 Max and that orders for the new plane have now topped 2,400.

Japan has been a fertile field for Boeing for 60 years and its virtual monopoly in the country has been eroding over the past few years as Airbus has taken some large orders that may once have come to Boeing. A year ago Japan Airlines (JAL) ordered 31 Airbus 350s and took an option on 25 more in an order worth $9.5 billion. All Nippon Airways (ANA) ordered 30 A320neo and A321neo jets in March. SMBC also ordered 115 A320 family jets from Airbus in July at the Farnborough air show.

We should be hearing more from both Boeing and Airbus this week. The Zhuhai Airshow, China’s largest, opens Tuesday near Macau, and both aircraft makers will be looking to pad their order books with more deals. Sunday’s announcement by Boeing and SMBC follows a recent pattern of orders coming from leasing firms rather than carriers themselves. SMBC, for example, is expecting demand for short- to medium-length flights in Asia to boom in the next 20 years. Boeing and Airbus expect the same thing.

Boeing’s shares were up fractionally in Monday’s premarket to $125.00. The stock’s 52-week range is $116.32 to $144.57.

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