Three of Central Asia’s flagship carriers are set to undergo a massive fleet modernization after striking a deal for 37 new Boeing aircraft. Air Astana of Kazakhstan, Somon Air of Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan Airways have all committed to new purchases, signaling a new era of expansion for the region’s aviation sector. These acquisitions will allow the airlines to expand their global reach and modernize their services.
The deal is headlined by Air Astana’s plan to acquire 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, a significant leap from its current wide-body fleet of just three 767s. This move is specifically aimed at opening new long-range destinations, with Boeing noting that North American services are now a possibility. Additionally, Somon Air will take on 14 jets (four 787s and ten 737 MAXs), while Uzbekistan Airways will add eight 787s.
This major commercial transaction was announced not by the airlines, but by the Trump administration in Washington. The Commerce Department framed the deal as a significant win for U.S. manufacturing, achieved through the administration’s focused diplomatic efforts. The announcement’s timing was deliberately set to coincide with the C5+1 Summit, a high-profile meeting between U.S. and Central Asian leaders.
The use of this 10th-anniversary diplomatic event to unveil a major manufacturing deal highlights the administration’s transactional approach to foreign policy. It clearly links geopolitical alignment with tangible benefits for American businesses.
This pattern of “Boeing diplomacy” has become a hallmark of the administration. Boeing has already won hundreds of orders this year, many of which were announced as part of larger trade deals. This 37-plane order is another example, even as the industry watches for a potential, much larger 500-jet deal with China.