en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 3, 2026, Somon Air received its first Boeing 737-8 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. This marks the first introduction of the 737 MAX aircraft type in Tajikistan and is the first of two 737-8s leased by Somon Air from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE). The 737 MAX will complement the airline's planned 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Somon Air CEO Abdulkosim Valiev stated that, given Tajikistan's central geographic location and the enhanced range capabilities of the 737-8, this fleet expansion will create conditions for opening new routes, while the new aircraft's higher fuel efficiency will improve operational economics. Somon Air will use the 737-8 to operate medium- and short-haul routes across Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and plans to launch flights to London, Beijing, and Guangzhou.
The 737-8 is the most versatile member of the 737 MAX family, capable of carrying up to 210 passengers depending on configuration, with a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 kilometers). Compared to previous-generation aircraft, the 737 MAX reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 20%, providing airlines with flexibility to serve high-demand routes and laying the foundation for future growth. Somon Air currently operates a fleet of six next-generation 737 aircraft, with Dushanbe International Airport as its hub, serving 29 destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
DAE CEO Firoz Tarapore stated that this 737-8 is the first of a two-aircraft commitment, and the DAE Capital fleet includes more than 190 Boeing 737 MAX series aircraft. Paul Righi, Boeing's Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Eurasia, India, and South Asia, noted that Somon Air has grown from a regional carrier into an international airline over the past 20 years, and the 737-8 is the right choice for its fleet modernization. Last year, Boeing and Somon Air announced that the latter had committed to purchasing up to 14 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX aircraft.
Somon Air has operated an all-Boeing fleet since commencing operations in 2008. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), headquartered in Dubai, has a fleet of approximately 1,000 aircraft, with eight office locations in Dubai, Dublin, London, Amman, Singapore, Miami, Seattle, and San Francisco, serving more than 200 airline customers in over 85 countries. The Boeing Company (Boeing, NYSE: BA) is a leading global aerospace company and the largest U.S. exporter, developing, manufacturing, and servicing commercial airplanes, defense products, and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
