By Navruz Ashermatov, Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan
The United States is a key and dependable partner for Uzbekistan in the Western Hemisphere. The two countries have a long-standing relationship, which has recently been strengthened.
This positive shift in relations can be attributed primarily to the constructive, proactive and multi-vector foreign policy of Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which has led to a significant improvement in the country’s external image in the regional and international arena over a short period of time.
Trade and economic partnership is undoubtedly one of the most important areas of cooperation between the two countries. The parties are committed to continuously strengthening economic ties and expanding trade and economic cooperation.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s participation in the anniversary summit held in New York in September this year to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations played an important role in intensifying activities within the UN. It also provided an opportunity to take bilateral cooperation to a new level.
The bilateral meetings and strategic agreements of the President of Uzbekistan within the framework of the summit marked a new chapter in the relations between Uzbekistan and the United States.
The meeting between our head of state and Brendan Nelson, President of Boeing Global, is of particular significance in the context of our ongoing business relations. This is due to the fact that the agreement signed is a significant deal for the purchase of 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
This represents a significant milestone for the aviation industry in Uzbekistan. The total value of the deal is $8 billion.
This will contribute not only to the modernisation of the Uzbekistan Airways fleet, but also to the global integration of the country’s transport logistics. A firm contract for the delivery of 14 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and 8 of this type as an option will lay the foundation for long-term cooperation. The first delivery is scheduled for 2031.
The expansion of the wide-body aircraft fleet will enable Uzbekistan Airways to increase passenger capacity on key routes, stabilise flight schedules and develop its route network.
The new infrastructure will establish a connection between Central Asia and key regions such as North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific. The project aligns with the objectives of the Uzbekistan 2030 National Development Programme and supports the airline’s strategic goal of establishing Tashkent as the region’s premier international transit hub.
Consequently, it will open up vast opportunities for the development of tourism, investment and international cooperation.
Reflecting on our history of collaboration with Boeing, it is evident that our company has made significant contributions to the advancement of the aviation industry and the expansion of the national airline’s operations.
In 1996, Uzbekistan Airways and Boeing initiated a cooperative agreement for the acquisition of modern aircraft, with the delivery of the first wide-body Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Following this, in 1997, Uzbekistan Airways took delivery of two additional Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. At the end of 1999, the airline expanded its narrow-body fleet with two Boeing 757-200 aircraft. Furthermore, as part of the active expansion of its Western-made aircraft fleet, between 2003 and 2004, Uzbekistan Airways received two more Boeing 767-300ERs and three Boeing 757-200s, bringing the total number of Boeing aircraft to 10.
In subsequent years, as part of aircraft purchase agreements signed with Boeing in 2007-2008, four Boeing 767-300ERs were delivered in 2012 and 2013. In 2016, the airline received its first two wide-body Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. In addition, in accordance with contracts signed with the company, between 2017 and 2021, the airline’s fleet was expanded by four more Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners.
Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Boeing is rapidly developing not only in the acquisition of modern aircraft, but also in the field of their technical maintenance.
Uzbekistan Airways Technics (UAT) is a technical centre specialising in aircraft maintenance, repair and modernisation. The company actively cooperates with Boeing and is the official partner for the maintenance of this manufacturer’s aircraft in Central Asia.
In August 2016, Uzbekistan Airways received its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. In the same year, Uzbekistan Airways Technics (UAT) launched a centre for the repair of composite components for modern aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The creation of this centre has made it possible to localise the maintenance and repair of new-generation aircraft in Uzbekistan as much as possible, opening up new opportunities for the development of the country’s aviation industry and the servicing of other airlines in the region.
As part of the cooperation, UAT provides a wide range of services for Boeing 757, 767 and 787 aircraft, including:
– maintenance, repair and modernisation;
– overhaul and refurbishment of aircraft in long-term storage;
– maintenance of aircraft belonging to Uzbekistan Airways, national and international airlines.
UAT currently holds a certificate for the maintenance of the following American-made civil aircraft:
– Boeing 737-300/400/500 (CFM56);
– Boeing 737-600/700/800/900 (CFM56);
– Boeing 747-200/300 (GE CF6);
– Boeing 757-200/300 (PW2000 и RR211);
– Boeing 767-200/300 (PW4000 и GE CF6);
– Boeing 787-8/9 (GEnx-1B).
The partnership with Boeing will strengthen UAT’s position in the international MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) services market and make a significant contribution to the development of Uzbekistan’s aviation infrastructure.
For Boeing, this means expanding its service network and strengthening its position in Central Asia.
In short, the cooperation, which has been ongoing for almost 30 years with the leading aircraft manufacturer not only in the United States but also worldwide, covers all areas — from aircraft acquisition and operation to maintenance and training.
Our national airline operates five regular flights per week on the Tashkent-New York-Tashkent route. Since 2021, there has been a consistent increase in the number of flights on this route. Over the past five years, the number of flights has increased by more than 2.5 times, indicating a surge in passenger traffic and a significant strengthening of transport and economic ties between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United States of America.
In particular, passenger traffic on this route increased from 32,800 people in 2021 to 87,500 people in 2024, which is almost 2.7 times more. During this period, cargo traffic increased from 570,900 kilograms to 2.41 million kilograms, i.e. more than fourfold. This indicates the commercial activity and growth of the airline’s logistics capabilities.
In order to meet the growing demand from passengers and expand the geography of Uzbekistan Airways’ operations, a further increase in flight frequency is planned for 2025.
