S7, Russia's second-largest airline in terms of passengers, signed a 2.4 billion dollar (1.8 billion euros) deal for 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets on Tuesday, Interfax reported.

"This is the most up-to-date plane in the world today and it will allow us...to increase our market share," S7 Chief Executive Vladislav Fliyov said in a statement. The contract "will allow us not only to retain the position of Russia's leading carrier but expand the gap between our competitors," added Filyov.

The move comes weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order to create a new airline, AirUnion, out of five smaller carriers. AirUnion would become S7’s comptetition as Russia's second largest airline.

Last month the company bought 10 737-800 long-range jets from Chicago-based Boeing. The first seven Dreamliner jets are to be delivered in 2014, Interfax reported citing a joint S7-Boeing press statement. The deal also contains an option for S7 to buy an additional 10 jets at the same price.

S7, in which company deputy general director Natalya Filyova controls 63 percent and the Russian government owns 25 percent, has proved it is intent on keeping its market share.

The five airlines of AirUnion control 70 planes and are expected to carry 5.5 million passengers in the near future.

As Russia tries to improve its airplane safety record and update a Soviet-era fleet, Aeroflot, AirUnion and S7 have emerged as the country's largest airlines.

The deal comes as good news for Boeing, which earlier this year lost to competitor Airbus a bid to equip state-owned Aeroflot with 22 Dreamliners.