Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan to Buy 37 New Boeing Jets

A trio of Central Asian nations is set to modernize their national airline fleets, with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan announcing plans to buy up to 37 new Boeing airplanes. The deals were announced on Thursday by the Trump administration’s Commerce Department during the C5+1 Summit in Washington. The orders are heavily skewed towards Boeing’s long-haul 787 Dreamliner, signaling major expansion plans.
The breakdown of the sales is as follows: Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana, is making the largest commitment with plans for up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Tajikistan’s Somon Air is purchasing a mixed fleet of 14 aircraft, including four 787s and ten 737 MAX planes. Uzbekistan Airways is also bolstering its long-haul fleet, committing to eight additional 787s.
For the airlines, these acquisitions are a strategic move to modernize and expand. Air Astana, for instance, currently operates a modest wide-body fleet of three Boeing 767 jets. The new 787-9 Dreamliners are not just replacements; they are strategic assets that will allow the carrier to explore new, long-range destinations. Boeing specifically noted that these planes will enable Air Astana to launch services to North America.
The C5+1 diplomatic platform proved to be a powerful tool for the Trump administration to advance its trade agenda. By announcing the orders at the 10th-anniversary summit, the administration successfully blended strategic engagement with a tangible victory for American manufacturing. This move reinforces the U.S. commitment to the region while simultaneously supporting a key American exporter.
This 37-plane deal is just the latest in a series of announcements this year where Boeing orders have been heavily featured in trade deals with foreign governments. This practice has become a hallmark of the Trump administration’s economic diplomacy. While this is a solid success, the administration and Boeing are also in talks for a massive 500-jet sale to China.