The 10th-anniversary meeting of the C5+1 Summit in Washington served as the stage for a major commercial announcement, as the Trump administration unveiled new deals for up to 37 Boeing airplanes with three of the member nations. The summit, which brings together the leaders of the five Central Asian republics and the United States, was used to highlight the economic benefits of the diplomatic partnership. The U.S. Commerce Department detailed the sales to Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
This diplomatic and commercial package includes several key components. Kazakhstan’s national airline, Air Astana, is set to become a major 787 operator, with plans to buy up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Tajikistan’s Somon Air has also committed to a significant fleet expansion, with a planned purchase of 14 aircraft: four 787s and ten 737 MAX planes. Finally, Uzbekistan Airways will grow its 787 fleet with an order for eight additional airplanes.
The strategic implications for the airlines are profound. These new aircraft will be used to grow and modernize their operations. Air Astana’s current long-haul fleet consists of just three Boeing 767s. The new 787-9s will not only replace this aging fleet but will also open up entirely new, long-range markets. Boeing confirmed that the new planes will give Air Astana the capability to launch direct flights to North America, a long-held ambition for the carrier.
The C5+1 diplomatic platform proved to be a powerful tool for the Trump administration to advance its trade agenda. By announcing the orders at the 10th-anniversary summit, the administration successfully blended strategic engagement with a tangible victory for American manufacturing. This move reinforces the U.S. commitment to the region while simultaneously supporting a key American exporter.
This event is part of a broader narrative in which orders for new U.S.-made Boeing planes have become central to trade discussions under President Trump. Boeing has seen hundreds of orders announced this year, often linked to diplomatic visits or trade agreements. While the Central Asian deal is a notable success, the ultimate prize for Boeing remains a potential 500-jet order from China, which is still in talks and would represent a massive breakthrough in that key market.