Air Astana’s long-held ambition to connect Kazakhstan with North America is now set to become a reality, thanks to a new deal for up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This major fleet acquisition was announced on Thursday by the Trump administration’s Commerce Department as the highlight of a broader sales package to Central Asia. In total, up to 37 Boeing jets are planned for airlines in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The new 787-9s are the key to this new chapter for Air Astana. The airline currently operates a modest wide-body fleet of three Boeing 767s for routes to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The new Dreamliners will replace these planes and provide the necessary range and efficiency for non-stop intercontinental travel. Boeing specifically confirmed that the new aircraft will “enable expansion into North America.”
The other Central Asian carriers are also making significant moves. Tajikistan’s national carrier, Somon Air, is planning to buy up to 14 Boeing airplanes, a mix of four 787s and ten 737 MAX aircraft. Uzbekistan Airways is also expanding its long-haul capabilities, committing to purchasing eight additional 787 planes.
These deals were formalized and announced at the C5+1 Summit in Washington. This event, marking the 10th anniversary of the diplomatic meeting between the U.S. and the five Central Asian republics, was used by the Trump administration as a platform to highlight the tangible economic benefits of the partnership. The deals represent a major victory for American manufacturing.
This style of deal-making, where high-profile purchases of U.S. goods are tied to diplomatic events, has been a hallmark of the Trump administration’s trade policy. Boeing has benefited from this approach, announcing hundreds of new orders this year. While the 37-plane deal is a solid win, the industry remains focused on even larger potential sales, such as a massive, 500-jet deal with China that is still under negotiation.