International media sources report that the biennial Dubai Airshow opened Sunday at the new Al-Maktoum International airport with about 1,000 exhibitors from the global civil and military aviation industries showing off their newest technology.

The five-day Dubai event has reportedly become a key sales battleground for rival aircraft builders Boeing and Airbus, which are both vying for sales worth billions.

The first day of the show was dominated by the formal launch of U.S.-based Boeing's newest passenger jet, the 777X.  In an early deal, Emirates Airline placed an order Sunday for 150 of the long-haul aircraft in a deal worth $76 billion.

The air show is giving Dubai a chance to display its huge new airport, which officials say could someday handle 160 million passengers a year, boosting Dubai's growing profile as a global aviation hub.

The Dubai Airshow is a biennial show held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).  It is organized by F&E Aerospace since the year 1989; in cooperation with the Government of Dubai, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces.

The Dubai Airshow has grown from 200 exhibits and 25 aircraft in 1989 to 960 exhibits and 125 aircraft in 2011 and is considered to be the fastest growing air show in the world.

The Dubai Airshow holds the record for the largest ever order book taken at an Airshow. In 2007 the total value of deals announced at the show reached $155 billion. In 2011 the order book total was $63.3 billion.