Uzbekistan Airways has just placed the largest aircraft order in its history. I can’t wait to fly on one of these planes, and be told off for taking pictures!
Uzbekistan Airways plans huge Dreamliner expansion
Uzbekistan Airways has placed an order for up to 22 Boeing 787-9s, including 14 firm orders and eight options. The planes will be delivered starting in 2031, so unfortunately we’ll have to be quite patient here, as it’ll be six years until we see the first of these aircraft (and that assumes no additional delays).
This will add to the carrier’s existing Dreamliner fleet, consisting of seven Boeing 787-8s, which are an average of around seven years old. Uzbekistan Airways was the 787 launch customer for Central Asia.
This announcement is being made on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev joining leaders from Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways. Here’s how Uzbekistan Airways Chairman Shukhrat Khudaikulov describes this order:
“The Boeing 787 Dreamliner family has proven to be the cornerstone of our long-haul operations. 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. This step reaffirms our ambitions and strategic commitment to sustainable growth.”
Uzbekistan Airways uses its existing 787-8s to connect markets in Europe, Asia, and the United States, including a nonstop flight to New York City (JFK). With the 787-9, the airline hopes to expand routes to the United States and other long haul destinations.
How this order fits into Uzbekistan Airways’ fleet
As it currently stands, Uzbekistan Airways’ jet fleet consists of 36 aircraft, including 24 narrow body aircraft and 12 wide body aircraft. The narrow body fleet consists of nine Airbus A320s, 10 Airbus A320neos, and five Airbus A321LRs. Meanwhile the wide body fleet consists of five Boeing 767-300ERs and seven Boeing 787-8s.
Uzbekistan Airways now has firm orders for 14 Airbus A321neos and 14 Boeing 787-9s, so talk about a major fleet expansion and modernization. I suspect that within a decade, Uzbekistan Airways will have all latest generation aircraft, as presumably the A320s and 767s will be retired, leaving the airline with a fleet of A320neos, A321LRs, A321neos, 787-8s, and 787-9s.
It’s certainly cool to see the airline modernize like this. Uzbekistan is a fascinating country, and I suspect it’ll become an increasingly popular tourism destination in the coming years. I do think that as far as Central Asian carriers go, Air Astana is a step up from Uzbekistan Airways in terms of quality. But hey, as Uzbekistan Airways grows, maybe it’ll also be motivated to focus on quality.
For those curious, you can read my Uzbekistan Airways 787 business class review here (it might be time to revisit the airline, though the carrier’s no picture policy makes my life difficult).
Bottom line
Uzbekistan Airways is hugely expanding its long haul fleet, with a firm order for at least 14 Boeing 787-9s, complementing the carrier’s seven existing 787-8s. It’s always cool to see an airline expansion like this, though the bad news is that the first delivery is only expected for 2031, so that’s quite a bit of time to wait.
I look forward to learning more details about the onboard product on this plane, though I suspect it’ll be into the 2030s before we learn more.
What do you make of Uzbekistan Airways’ Dreamliner order?
