Boeing’s 2024 order book received another significant boost on Thursday, as the Trump administration announced deals for up to 37 airplanes with airlines in Central Asia. The U.S. Commerce Department confirmed that carriers in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are planning major fleet expansions using Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX aircraft. The deals were signed at a diplomatic summit in Washington, highlighting the connection between U.S. foreign policy and commerce.
The orders are substantial and spread across the region. The largest commitment comes from Kazakhstan’s Air Astana, which plans to acquire up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Tajikistan’s Somon Air is also making a major investment, with plans for 14 aircraft, including four 787s and ten 737 MAX planes. Uzbekistan Airways rounded out the agreements by committing to eight additional 787 Dreamliners.
For these airlines, the new aircraft represent a leap in capability. Air Astana, for example, will use its 15 new 787-9s to replace its three aging 767s and, more importantly, to launch new intercontinental routes. Boeing confirmed that the new planes will give Air Astana the range to finally offer direct flights to North America, a key strategic goal for the carrier.
The announcement was made at the C5+1 Summit, a meeting in Washington celebrating a decade of diplomatic ties between the U.S. and the five Central Asian republics. The Trump administration leveraged this event to showcase the fruits of its diplomatic engagement, positioning the Boeing deals as a win for American industry and a sign of strong partnerships in the region.
This 37-plane order joins hundreds of others Boeing has won this year, many of which have been announced as part of broader trade agreements championed by the Trump administration. While this deal strengthens Boeing’s position in Central Asia, the industry is also keenly aware of the ongoing, high-stakes negotiations for a potential 500-jet order from China, a deal that could significantly alter the aviation market.