During the C5+1 Summit in Washington, D. C. , Boeing secured a series of major aircraft deals worth more than $7 billion with Central Asian airlines. This marks a significant moment for the region’s aviation industry, as Air Astana, Somon Air, and Uzbekistan Airways collectively committed to purchasing up to 37 Boeing aircraft, including 26 fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliners. This shows the ambitious plans of these airlines to establish Central Asia as a critical transit hub between East and West.
Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, announced its largest-ever aircraft purchase with a commitment to acquire up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This will increase their widebody fleet to 18 aircraft, with five firm commitments, five options, and five purchase rights, scheduled for delivery between 2032 and 2035. CEO Peter Foster stated that this purchase will support their strategic goal of expanding service capabilities from Central Asia to Asia, Europe, and the rest of the world.
Somon Air, Tajikistan’s flag carrier, made history by placing its first-ever widebody aircraft order with Boeing. They committed to up to 14 aircraft, including four 787-9 Dreamliners and ten 737 MAX 8 jets. CEO Abdulkosim Valiev expressed their dedication to providing exceptional service and comfort to passengers with this significant investment. The 787-9s will be used to launch new intercontinental routes from Dushanbe to Europe and North America, while the 737 MAX 8s will modernize their short and medium-haul operations with a 20-25% reduction in fuel burn.
Uzbekistan Airways also converted existing purchase options into firm orders for eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, bringing their total order book to 22 units. This follows a significant fleet expansion agreement announced in September 2025, when they initially ordered 14 787-9s with options for eight additional aircraft. Chairman Shukhrat Khudaikulov stated that this order will strengthen both their airline and their nation’s position as a leading aviation hub in Central Asia, while providing passengers with greater global connectivity.
These coordinated aircraft orders reflect Central Asia’s strategic positioning as a natural bridge between European, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets. With long-range aircraft like the 787-9s entering service, airlines such as Air Astana, Uzbekistan Airways, and Somon Air will soon operate non-stop flights to key destinations, competing with established Middle Eastern carriers. This also allows them to offer competitive routings between Europe and Asia, potentially capturing transit traffic that currently flows through hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul.
The deals were announced during the 10th anniversary summit of the C5+1 platform, which promotes cooperation between the United States and the five Central Asian republics. This aligns with the U. S. strategy to showcase American exports as a cornerstone of engagement with the region.