Admittedly I’m strange, but I find this to be one of the coolest new aircraft orders that we’ve seen in a long time, and I can’t wait to fly with Somon Air again!!

Somon Air orders up to 14 new Boeing aircraft

Somon Air is a private airline based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, which currently has a fleet of six Boeing 737s, plus two helicopters. The airline is planning a massive expansion, as the company has placed its largest-ever aircraft order.

Specifically, Somon Air intends to acquire up to 14 Boeing aircraft, including up to four Boeing 787-9s, and up to 10 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. For now, there are no details on the timeline for the order, plus how much of that order is firm vs. options.

The deal was signed at the C5+1 Summit, so clearly the announcement was politically motivated. I’m curious if this deal is followed through on, since these kinds of announcements tend to be a bit less certain than agreements that are reached independently of any political event.

Somon Air claims it will launch new intercontinental routes from Dushanbe with the new Dreamliners, while the 737 MAXs will form the foundation of the carrier’s short and medium haul network, and will replace previous generation 737s. These planes will deliver a 20-25% reduction in fuel burn compared to the aircraft they replace.

Here’s how Somon Air CEO Abdulkosim Valiev describes this order:

“We are pleased to announce our commitment to expand our fleet with Boeing’s state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX airplanes. This significant investment not only marks our first widebody order but also reinforces our dedication to providing exceptional service and comfort to our passengers. With flexibility built into this commitment, Somon Air can adjust its fleet further based on market demand.”

Somon Air is massively expanding its fleet

I CAN’T WAIT TO FLY THE SOMON AIR DREAMLINER!

I love flying “random” (at least from a US-centric perspective) airlines, and I think Central Asia is one of the most interesting regions in the world. I’ve flown Somon Air before, in the carrier’s Boeing 737 business class, between Dushanbe (DYU) and Dubai (DXB).

It’s so fun to fly an airline where you have no clue what to expect. And Somon Air in particular was a fascinating operation, as the carrier’s CEO at the time was a retired Delta captain. What an interesting guy — he spent 27 years as a Delta pilot (and became a line check airman), and then in retirement went on to work at Ethiopian Airlines, Air Astana, Somon Air, and Northern Pacific. What a career!

Anyway, as much as I enjoyed the carrier’s 737 business class, I can’t wait to see what the 787 experience will be like, if/when that becomes a reality.

It’s a very cool time for aviation in Central Asia. We’ve also seen Uzbekistan Airways announce plans to massively expand its Boeing 787 fleet, and Air Astana has also boosted its Boeing 787 order (with the first delivery expected soon).

Uzbekistan Airways also has big growth plans

Bottom line

Somon Air, the national airline of Tajikistan, has just placed its biggest aircraft order ever. The airline will acquire up to 14 Boeing planes, including four 787-9s and 10 737 MAX 8s. Details remain limited, including how firm these orders are, plus when the deliveries will actually happen. Either way, this is an order that I’m mighty excited about!

What do you make of Somon Air’s Boeing aircraft order?