Boeing has signed multiple deals with airlines in Central Asia as the carriers look to curry favour with the US administration. Boeing announced that Uzbekistan Airways converted options into a firm order for eight 787 Dreamliners, bringing the flag carrier’s total order book to 22 of the versatile widebody jets. These ultra-efficient 787-9 airplanes will enable Uzbekistan Airways to expand its international network as part of the airline’s growth strategy. The signing ceremony took place at the C5+1 Summit in Washington, DC, and was witnessed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov.
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Boeing also announced Somon Air, Tajikistan’s national air carrier, has committed to place its largest-ever order, selecting up to 14 fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX airplanes. Somon Air currently operates six Next-Generation 737 airplanes from Tajikistan to 25 destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. With today’s agreement, the airline will place its first-ever widebody order for up to four 787-9 jets to enable international network expansion and up to 10 737-8 single-aisle jets, to modernize its all-737 fleet.
“We are pleased to announce our commitment to expand our fleet with Boeing’s state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX airplanes,” said Abdulkosim Valiev, CEO of Somon Air. “This significant investment not only marks our first widebody order but also reinforces our dedication to providing exceptional service and comfort to our passengers. With flexibility built into this commitment, Somon Air can adjust its fleet further based on market demand.”
Somon Air will launch new intercontinental routes from Dushanbe, Tajikistan with the 787-9, offering superior comfort to its passengers. The 737‑8 will form the foundation of the carrier’s short and medium‑haul network. Together, these airplanes deliver a 20–25 % fuel-use improvement compared to the airplanes they replace, enabling lower per-seat and maintenance costs.
Somon Air is the national airline of the Republic of Tajikistan, established in 2008. Based at Dushanbe International Airport, the airline operates regular passenger and charter flights to destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Its fleet consists entirely of modern Boeing 737 aircraft. Somon Air is committed to maintaining the highest standards of flight safety, service quality, and innovations.
Boeing and Air Astana JSC announced the Kazakhstan flag carrier will purchase up to 15 787 Dreamliners to grow and modernise its fleet. The agreement for additional 787-9 airplanes will enable Air Astana to expand its operations and enhance its passengers’ experience. When the order is finalised and posted to Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website, it will be Air Astana’s largest single airplane purchase and will support more than 20,000 jobs across the U.S. With three more 787-9 airplanes to be delivered via lessors, Air Astana’s 787 fleet will grow up to 18 787-9 airplanes to fuel its long-haul capabilities.
“Air Astana is strategically committed to boosting its service capabilities from Central Asia/ Caucasus to Asia, Europe and the rest of the world over the next decade, with the arrival of the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner next year marking the start of this exciting phase of development,” said Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana. “With its customer friendly cabin, fuel efficiency and range flexibility, the fleet of up to 18 Boeing 787-9 aircraft is destined to become an outstanding success with the airline and its discerning passengers.”
Air Astana currently operates three Boeing 767 widebody jets across a network that connects Kazakhstan with destinations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The airline will leverage the ultra-efficient 787-9, which will seat 303 passengers, to grow capacity across its existing routes and enable expansion into North America.
Boeing South Carolina breaks ground on 787 site expansion
Boeing announced the groundbreaking of its Boeing South Carolina (BSC) site expansion. Home of the 787 Dreamliner program, BSC is set to increase production to a rate of 10 airplanes per month in 2026. The new expansion will allow the site to support higher 787 production rates given strong market demand. In late 2024, Boeing announced plans to expand and upgrade its site near CharlestonInternational Airport and a second campus. The company is investing more than $1 billion in this infrastructure programme and plans to create more than 1,000 new jobs over the next five years. The expansion will include:
- A new final assembly building similar in size to the current final assembly building, which is roughly 1.2 million square feet, and will include airplane production positions, production support and office space.
- A parts preparation area facility, a vertical fin paint facility, Flight Line stalls and more at the Airport Campus.
- Additions to the Interiors Responsibility Center, where many of the 787’s interior components are made.
The construction effort will employ more than 2,500 people with over 6.2 million construction hours from the joint venture of HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group. Ninety customers from around the world have placed more than 2,250 orders for the 787 Dreamliner family, making it the best-selling widebody passenger airplane of all time.
After more than 1,200 deliveries, the 787 backlog stands at nearly 1,000 airplanes, including more than 300 orders added just this year. In all, the commercial aviation industry is expected to need more than 7,800 new widebody airplanes over the next two decades, according to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook.
“We continue to see strong demand for the 787 Dreamliner family and its market-leading efficiency and versatility. We are making this significant investment today to ensure Boeing is ready to meet our customer’s needs in the years and decades ahead, said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This site expansion is a testament to the incredible work of our Boeing teammates and deepens our commitment to them, to South Carolina, and to American manufacturing.”
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