US President Donald Trump publicly welcomed Uzbekistan Airways’ largest-ever contract with Boeing. In a post on the social network Truth Social, he wrote that the airline is acquiring 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft worth over $8 billion.
According to Trump, the agreement will create more than 35,000 jobs in the United States. “President Mirziyoyev is a man of his word, and we will continue to work together on many more items,” he said.
The deal was concluded on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. According to the press service of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Brendan Nelson, CEO of Boeing Global.
In Tashkent, the “long-standing strategic partnership” with the American corporation and the importance of timely implementation of the signed contract and agreement were emphasized.
Contract Details
In its September 22 press release, Boeing called the agreement the largest order in Uzbekistan Airways’ history. The national carrier signed a firm contract for 14 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and received options for eight more. Deliveries, as the airline clarified, will begin in 2031.
Uzbekistan Airways has been operating the Dreamliner since 2016. At that time, the airline became the first in Central Asia to receive a Boeing 787-8. These aircraft are now used for flights to Europe, Asia, and the US, including direct service to New York.
According to Shukhrat Khudaykulov, Chairman of Uzbekistan Airways, the new contract will strengthen Tashkent’s position “as a leading transit hub in Central Asia and expand the international route network.”
US and Boeing Interests
For the US, the deal primarily has domestic significance. Boeing stated that Uzbekistan Airways’ purchase will support about 35,000 US jobs. Senior Vice President Brad McMullen emphasized that the partnership with Uzbekistan has lasted nearly three decades and will continue.
The Boeing 787 is positioned as a more spacious and fuel-efficient model. According to the company, new technologies reduce fuel consumption by approximately 25% compared to previous models.
Regional and Global Context
Uzbekistan Airways’ contract comes amid global competition between Boeing and Airbus in the long-haul market. Over the past year, Airbus has received large orders from airlines in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Kazakhstan’s Air Astana is also expanding its fleet with a focus on Airbus.
In this context, the agreement with Uzbekistan is seen as important support for Boeing’s position in Central Asia. For Tashkent, the contract serves both economic and political purposes: strengthening transport infrastructure while demonstrating strategic ties with the US.
The deal also aligns with the long-term “Uzbekistan–2030” program, which envisions developing Tashkent as a regional hub and increasing transit traffic. In the face of growing competition among regional carriers, expanding the long-haul fleet becomes a key element of strategy.
