A battle for orders erupted on day one of the Dubai Airshow on Sunday as Europe's Airbus and its US arch-rival Boeing prepared to fire opening salvos worth almost $30 billion.

Airbus was widely expected to announce a fresh order worth $16 billion at list prices for the world's largest passenger jet, the A380, from Dubai's Emirates, injecting new life into its soft-selling superjumbo programme.

But sources familiar with the matter said Boeing could try to upstage its European competitor by grabbing a surprise early order worth $12-13 billion for its 787-10 Dreamliner.

Boeing was close on Sunday to the deal to sell around 40 of the longest version of its Dreamliner family, also to Emirates, the sources said.

Airbus, Boeing and Emirates all declined comment.