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The flag carriers of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have announced orders this week for Boeing aircraft. Somon Air, the national carrier for the country of Tajikistan, has committed to place its biggest aircraft order ever, for up to 14 Boeing 787 and 737 MAX aircraft. Uzbekistan Airways looks to convert its options to a firm order, which will be composed of eight Boeing 787-9 aircraft, now making its total order for 22 airplanes. These orders symbolise a commitment to Boeing airplanes and will further enhance connectivity to the region. Both orders were made at the C5+1 Summit, the 10th anniversary of the diplomatic platform. The C5+1 diplomatic platform represents the U.S. Government and a joint engagement with all five Central Asian governments (the C5). These are Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Will Lead To An Expansion Of Air Service To Central Asia Uzbekistan Airways already has six Boeing 787-8 in operation, one of which is dedicated to transporting government officials. The order for 22 787-9, will look to support the carrier's ambitious expansion plans to connect the region, while also replacing older aircraft such as its six Boeing 767-300ER. For Tajik carrier, Somon Air, this will see the airline look to offer new intercontinental services from Dushanbe International Airport (DYU), and provide superior comfort for passengers. It is set to replace older aircraft and deliver improved fuel efficiency by around 20 to 25%. CEO of Somon Air, Abdulkosim Valiev, explained: "We are pleased to announce our commitment to expand our fleet with Boeing's state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX airplanes. 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 Order Somon Air is a private airline that operates from Dushanbe International Airport. It began its life back in February 2008 and focuses currently on passenger services to and from Eastern Europe to Tajikistan. Currently, it has a fleet of eight aircraft, as per ch-aviation, and flies to 27 destinations. Its current fleet includes one Airbus H125 helicopter, four Boeing 737-800, and two 737-900ER. Its order for 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and four Boeing 787-9 is expected to commence deliveries as early as 2026. The Tajik carrier had an MOU to purchase the smaller 787-8 back in 2018 at the Dubai Air Show; however, this never materialised. This was part of the carrier's then growth plan to introduce long-haul flights, with the Boeing 767-300ER and eventually the 787. Somons' latest decision to purchase ultra-modern Boeing 737 MAX and 787-9 aircraft underscores the airline's commitment to Boeing to grow its route network. As reiterated by Paul Rihi, the Boeing Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Eurasia and India, explained, "The versatility of the 787-9 and 737-8, combined with their outstanding performance, range, and operating economics, provides Somon Air with the essential tools needed to scale its operations effectively." More Planes For Uzbekistan Airways Uzbekistan Airways operates a modest network of domestic and international flights from its home at Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS). The airline, founded in January 1922, commenced operations later that year on May 31. The airline operates international services as far as Asia, Europe, and North America. The carrier has a current fleet of Airbus narrowbody and Boeing widebody airframes. This is made up of nine Airbus A320-200, ten A320nbeo, five A321LR, and has an additional 14 A321neo on order. Its six current 767-300ER can seat between 247 and 267 passengers respectively across two classes. Its current six 787-8 Dreamliners support the carrier's long-haul flights to destinations like London, Gatwick, and New York JFK Airport. It is yet to be announced specifically how Uzbekistan Airways plans to configure its 22 Boeing 787-9; however, if following a similar layout to its smaller 787-8 model, these will be with around 24-30 business class, and up to 240 economy class seats.
