Boeing Commercial Airplanes will supply up to 22 long-range 787 Dreamliners to Uzbekistan Airways, reportedly the largest aircraft order in the history of that carrier. Neither the manufacturer nor the buyer reported the value of the order, which covers 14 787-9 jets and options for eight more of the same aircraft.
The U.S. Commerce Dept. estimated the value of the order at $8.5 billion, and described it as the largest commercial aircraft order ever for a Central Asian customer. Commerce noted the deal was finalized on the occasion of the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
Like the Boeing’s recent $50-billion order from Korea Air and $7-billion order from Gulf Air, Uzbekistan Airways’ placement was announced simultaneously by the Trump Administration, which celebrated that the deal will support almost 35,000 U.S. jobs.
The 787-9 is a twin-engine, widebody aircraft with capacity for 290 to 330 passengers in a three-class configuration. Boeing frequently emphasizes the Dreamliners’ aerodynamics design with a high volume of composite materials, and other details that contributed to reduce fuel usage by 25% versus the previous generation of long-range aircraft.
Uzbekistan Airways is a state-owned carrier that serves 57 destinations in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, plus John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, with a fleet of 41 aircraft – narrow-body Airbus jets and seven Boeing 787-8 long-range aircraft.
Uzbekistan Airways reportedly was the first 787 operator in the central Asian region. It also five Boeing 767 wide-body passenger aircraft, and two cargo aircraft of that same variant.
The new 787-9s are seen as a means for expanding the airline’s international route network to North America and elsewhere.
"The Boeing 787 Dreamliner family has proven to be the cornerstone of our long-haul operations," stated the airline’s chairman Shukhrat Khudaikulov. "With this new contract, we are further strengthening both our airline's and our nation's position as a leading aviation hub in Central Asia, while providing our passengers with greater global connectivity."
