Фото: Boeing

Uzbekistan’s national carrier, Uzbekistan Airways, has firmed up an option for eight additional Boeing 787-9 long-haul aircraft. The agreement was signed on November 6 in Washington, D.C., during a meeting between the presidents of the Central Asian republics and the U.S. president.

The option was part of a firm contract for 14 Boeing 787-9s signed earlier in September this year. With this conversion, Uzbekistan Airways’ total firm order for the type now stands at 22 aircraft. Deliveries of the new jets are scheduled to begin in 2031.

Uzbekistan Airways will remain the largest operator of the 787 in its region. Kazakhstan’s Air Astana holds preliminary and firm orders for 18 Boeing 787-9s, while Tajikistan’s Somon Air has commitments for four of the type.

The Uzbek carrier has been operating Dreamliners since 2016. Its current fleet includes six smaller 787-8s, which enabled the airline to launch long-haul routes — including nonstop flights to New York, the only such service from Central Asia.

The new Dreamliners will also replace Uzbekistan Airways’ aging widebody Boeing 767-300s. The airline currently operates seven of these aircraft, including two freighters.