Air TransportUzbekistan Airways has announced a firm order for 14 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with options for an additional eight aircraft, marking the largest widebody order in the airline’s history.
The agreement was signed during an event attended by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the United Nations General Assembly, underlining the significance of the deal for the country’s aviation sector.
The 787-9s will join Uzbekistan Airways’ existing fleet, which already includes seven Boeing 787-8s delivered since 2016. The airline is currently the only operator of the Dreamliner family in Central Asia.
According to airline chairman Shukhrat Khudaykulov, the addition of the 787-9 variant will enable Uzbekistan Airways to extend its long-haul reach, including planned routes to the United States and other distant destinations.
“The Boeing 787 Dreamliner family has proven to be the cornerstone of our long-haul operations,” said Khudaikulov.
Fleet expansion
Uzbekistan Airways currently serves more than 95 domestic and international destinations. The new 787-9s, with their increased range and passenger capacity compared to the 787-8, are expected to play a key role in the company’s route development strategy.
Besides the Dreamliners, the airline’s fleet includes nine Boeing 767-300s, 21 Airbus A320s, five A321neos, and Let L-410 turboprops. The acquisition of additional widebodies comes amid growing demand for long-haul travel from Uzbekistan.
Boeing estimates that the order will help support close to 35,000 jobs in the United States, reflecting the broader economic impact of the agreement.
