Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana, is the anchor of a new 37-jet order from Central Asia, with plans to acquire up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This major deal, announced by the Trump administration on Thursday, also includes significant orders for airlines in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The U.S. Commerce Department confirmed the sales at the C5+1 Summit in Washington.
Air Astana’s 15-plane commitment is a major step toward modernizing its fleet and expanding its global reach. The airline’s current wide-body fleet consists of only three Boeing 767s. The new 787-9s will not only replace these older jets but will, as Boeing stated, provide the airline with the capability to expand its network to North America for the first time.
The other deals announced are also significant for the region’s growth. Tajikistan’s national carrier, Somon Air, plans to buy up to 14 Boeing airplanes, including four 787s and ten 737 MAX aircraft. Uzbekistan Airways is also committing to the Dreamliner, planning to purchase eight additional 787s to bolster its own long-haul services.
The deals were unveiled at the C5+1 Summit in Washington, a high-level meeting celebrating a decade of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the five Central Asian republics. The Trump administration used this opportunity to highlight the economic fruits of this partnership, framing the 37-plane sale as a win for American industry and for Central Asian connectivity.
This announcement is consistent with the Trump administration’s strategy of using diplomacy to fuel domestic manufacturing. Orders for Boeing jets have been a frequent centerpiece of international trade agreements. While this Central Asian deal is significant, it’s part of a larger context that includes Boeing’s ongoing negotiations for a potential 500-jet-order with China.