The C5+1 Summit in Washington has delivered more than just diplomatic talks, concluding with the announcement of major new deals for up to 37 Boeing airplanes. The Trump administration’s Commerce Department confirmed on Thursday that airlines in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are the buyers. The announcement at the 10th-anniversary meeting underscores the U.S. strategy of linking strategic partnerships with economic benefits.
The orders are a significant win for Boeing’s 787 and 737 MAX programs. Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana, is the largest buyer, with plans for up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Tajikistan’s Somon Air has committed to 14 aircraft, including four 787s and ten 737 MAXs. Uzbekistan Airways is also set to purchase eight additional 787 Dreamliners.
These new planes will fuel ambitious expansion plans. Air Astana’s 15 Dreamliners will replace its three current Boeing 767s, which handle routes to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The new 787s are the key to unlocking new, more distant markets. Boeing confirmed that the aircraft’s range will enable Air Astana to launch its first-ever direct flight operations to North America.
The C5+1 Summit provided a prestigious and strategic backdrop for the announcement. The Trump administration has consistently used such diplomatic gatherings to advance U.S. economic interests. By securing these orders, the administration can point to a tangible outcome of its engagement with the five Central Asian republics.
This event is part of a broader pattern where orders for U.S-made Boeing planes have been central to trade deals and negotiations with foreign governments under President Trump. Boeing has won hundreds of orders this year through such agreements. While the 37-plane deal is a solid win, the company is also in talks for a potentially massive 500-jet order with China.
37