A major new 37-plane deal for Boeing has three faces: Kazakhstan’s Air Astana, Tajikistan’s Somon Air, and Uzbekistan Airways. The national carriers of these three Central Asian nations have all committed to new Boeing aircraft, in agreements announced by the Trump administration.
The deal, unveiled by the Commerce Department at the C5+1 Summit, was presented as a major win for U.S. business. The largest commitment comes from Air Astana, with 15 787-9 Dreamliners. Somon Air is acquiring a 14-plane mixed fleet (787s and 737 MAXs), and Uzbekistan Airways is committing to eight 787s.
This is a monumental step for the carriers, allowing for significant fleet modernization. Air Astana, for instance, 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.
The timing of the announcement at the 10th-anniversary diplomatic meeting was deliberate, linking U.S. foreign policy directly to manufacturing. This is part of a well-established pattern for the administration, where Boeing sales are often a key component of trade negotiations.
This 37-plane deal adds to hundreds of orders Boeing has won this year, many linked to broader trade agreements, as the world awaits news on a potential 500-jet sale to China.