Airbus and Boeing each plan to make a series of “backloaded” commercial announcements at the Dubai airshow on November 14 and 15, notwithstanding extended negotiations over a highly anticipated order for at least 36 A380s from Emirates. By late yesterday Airbus had delivered the contract papers to the airline and awaited word on a decision, according to a source close to the manufacturer.

Originally expected on the show’s opening day, the announcement about the A380s hinged on a demand by Emirates that Airbus issue a guarantee that production of the superjumbo would continue for at least another 10 years, confirmed the airline. The potential deal for the A380s might have signaled a resurrection of sorts for the superjumbo, whose dwindling backlog and lack of recent order activity has industry analysts questioning the long-term viability of the line.

The developments came a day after Emirates apparently exacted a last-minute snub of Airbus on the A380s. As reporters gathered for what Boeing and Airbus executives expected to be a joint order announcement on Monday morning, representatives from both manufacturers joined them in one of the venue’s conference rooms. But after an extended delay, the Airbus officials left and Emirates chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum entered and took a seat behind a model of a 787-10, forty of which the airline would ultimately commit to order.

Separately, Boeing tacked on another fairly significant backlog addition for its 737 Max line, sealing a 20-unit order with Kuwait’s Alafco involving Max 8s. Valued at $2.2 billion at list prices, the deal doubles Alafco’s Max orderbook to a total of 40.

Alafco hasn’t yet placed the leased airplanes with operators, but prospects in the region look positive based on the demand the company has seen for its first batch of Maxs, reported deputy CEO Adel Albanwan at the show on November 12.