Direct Flights to North America: Air Astana’s Goal with 15 New 787s

The prospect of direct flights between Central Asia and North America has taken a giant leap forward, with Air Astana of Kazakhstan planning to buy up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This fleet-defining order was announced by the Trump administration on Thursday as part of a 37-plane deal for the region. The U.S. Commerce Department confirmed the sales, which also include aircraft for Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The new 787-9s are the lynchpin of Air Astana’s expansion strategy. The airline’s current long-haul fleet consists of just three Boeing 767s. The 15 new 787-9s will not only replace these older jets but, as Boeing confirmed, will provide the range and efficiency required to connect Kazakhstan directly with the North American continent for the first time.
The full announcement from the Commerce Department covers two other Central Asian nations. Tajikistan’s national carrier, Somon Air, is also making a significant investment, with plans to purchase up to 14 Boeing planes. This order is a mix of four 787 Dreamliners for long-haul routes and ten 737 MAX airplanes for its regional network. Additionally, Uzbekistan Airways is expanding its long-haul capacity, committing to buying eight additional 787 planes.
These significant orders were formalized and announced at the C5+1 Summit in Washington. This event, which marked 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.