A high-profile diplomatic summit in Washington served as the backdrop for a major commercial deal, as the Trump administration announced 37-plane in-principle orders for Boeing from three Central Asian nations. The C5+1 Summit, marking its 10th anniversary, was deliberately used as a platform to unveil the agreements, underscoring the administration’s focus on U.S. business in its foreign policy.
The deals with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan were presented by the Commerce Department as a significant diplomatic and commercial victory. This move highlights a transactional approach to diplomacy, where geopolitical meetings are leveraged to secure U.S. manufacturing contracts.
The orders themselves are a major boost for the region’s airlines. Kazakhstan’s Air Astana is set for the largest purchase, with 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Tajikistan’s Somon Air will acquire a mixed fleet of 14 aircraft (four 787s and ten 737 MAXs). Uzbekistan Airways is also expanding its long-haul fleet with eight additional 787s.
These new planes will fuel a new era of growth. For Air Astana, the 15 new 787s are a monumental step up from its three current 767s, enabling the carrier to launch its first-ever direct services to North America.
This 37-plane deal is the latest example of a recurring theme in the Trump administration, where Boeing orders feature prominently in trade announcements. This adds to hundreds of orders for Boeing this year, as the industry also watches for a potential 500-jet deal with China.