A “Monumental Step”: Central Asian Airlines Modernize with Boeing

Described as a “monumental step” for the carriers, three Central Asian airlines are set to modernize their fleets with 37 new Boeing airplanes. The deal, involving Air Astana, Somon Air, and Uzbekistan Airways, was announced by the Trump administration as a major U.S. commercial victory.
The acquisitions will dramatically expand the airlines’ global reach. Kazakhstan’s Air Astana is acquiring 15 787-9 Dreamliners, which will enable it to launch its first-ever flights to North America. This is a massive upgrade from its current three 767s.
The other carriers are also making significant investments. Tajikistan’s Somon Air is set to purchase a mixed fleet of 14 planes (four 787s and ten 737 MAXs). Uzbekistan Airways is bolstering its long-haul fleet with eight additional 787s.
The Commerce Department unveiled the agreements at the C5+1 Summit in Washington. This 10th-anniversary diplomatic meeting was used as a platform to highlight the administration’s transactional approach to diplomacy, where U.S. business interests are a key component of foreign relations.
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.