The national carriers of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are set for a major fleet modernization, committing to a combined 37 new airplanes from Boeing. The deal, announced by the Trump administration, will see a significant influx of 787 Dreamliners and 737 MAX aircraft into the Central Asian market.
The agreements were unveiled by the Commerce Department at the C5+1 Summit in Washington, a move designed to highlight the administration’s success in linking diplomacy with U.S. business. The 10th-anniversary summit provided a high-profile backdrop for the commercial win.
The orders are substantial and strategic. Air Astana (Kazakhstan) is set to acquire 15 long-haul 787-9 Dreamliners. Somon Air (Tajikistan) is diversifying with a 14-plane mixed fleet of four 787s and ten 737 MAXs. Uzbekistan Airways is also expanding its long-range capabilities with eight more 787s.
This is a transformative step for the airlines. Air Astana, for example, will use its new 787s to replace its three aging 767s. This will also give it the capability to launch its first-ever direct flights to North America, a major strategic expansion.
This 37-plane deal is the latest example of a recurring theme in the Trump administration, where Boeing orders feature prominently in trade announcements. It adds to hundreds of orders for Boeing this year, as the industry also watches for a potential 500-jet deal with China.