A mix of Boeing’s most in-demand aircraft, including the 787 Dreamliner and the 737 MAX, are headed to Central Asia under a new 37-plane agreement. The deal, announced by the Trump administration, involves three of the region’s national carriers—Air Astana, Somon Air, and Uzbekistan Airways—and marks a major fleet modernization effort.
The deal highlights the different needs of the carriers. Tajikistan’s Somon Air is opting for a mixed fleet, acquiring four 787s for long-haul routes and ten 737 MAX models for regional efficiency. In contrast, Kazakhstan’s Air Astana and Uzbekistan Airways are focused on long-haul expansion, committing to 15 and eight 787 Dreamliners, respectively.
The Commerce Department unveiled the agreements at the C5+1 Summit in Washington, presenting it as a “diplomatic and commercial victory.” The timing was no coincidence, as the 10th-anniversary diplomatic event was used to showcase the administration’s focus on linking foreign policy with U.S. business interests.
These new aircraft are game-changers for the airlines. For Air Astana, the 15 new 787-9s will replace its three aging 767s and provide the capability to launch its first-ever direct flights to North America.
This deal is the latest example of the Trump administration’s transactional approach to diplomacy, where Boeing orders are often a central part of foreign trade discussions. It adds to hundreds of orders Boeing has won this year, with the industry still monitoring talks for a potential 500-jet sale to China.
