Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana, is making a bold move to modernize its fleet and expand its global reach, announcing plans to buy up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This major acquisition is the largest part of a regional purchasing agreement, announced by the Trump administration, that will see up to 37 new Boeing jets sold to airlines in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The deals were confirmed by the U.S. Commerce Department at a diplomatic summit in Washington.
Air Astana’s decision to invest in the 787-9 is transformative. The carrier’s current wide-body fleet consists of only three Boeing 767s, which handle routes to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The new Dreamliners will replace these aging jets and, more importantly, unlock new continents. Boeing stated that the 787s will provide the range and efficiency needed for Air Astana to launch its first-ever direct flights to North America.
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. This order is split between four 787 Dreamliners for long-distance routes and ten 737 MAX airplanes, likely for its busier regional services. Furthermore, Uzbekistan Airways is also committing to the Dreamliner, planning to purchase eight additional 787 planes to supplement its fleet.
The announcement of these sales was timed to coincide with the C5+1 Summit in Washington, a high-level meeting celebrating the 10th anniversary of diplomatic talks between the U.S. and the five Central Asian republics. The Trump administration, through the Commerce Department, used this event to showcase a successful fusion of diplomacy and commerce, reinforcing U.S. economic ties with the region.
This event follows a familiar script for the Trump administration, where large-scale orders for U.S. manufacturers like Boeing are often key components of foreign policy and trade negotiations. Boeing has secured hundreds of such orders this year. While the Central Asian deal is a significant win, the company is simultaneously engaged in talks for a potentially historic 500-jet order with China, a deal that could reshape its standing in the crucial Asian market.