Tajikistan's Somon Air Takes Delivery of First Boeing 737 MAX

Somon Air, the flag carrier of Tajikistan, has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The new plane, a 737-8, was handed over on August 3, 2026, at Dushanbe International Airport.

The 737-8 is leased from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and will be the first of two 737-8s to join Somon Air's fleet. The second aircraft is expected to arrive before the end of August.

Powered by two CFM LEAP-1B engines, the 737-8 can carry up to 210 passengers as far as 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km), and burns around 20 percent less fuel than the previous-generation 737s it replaces.

The appeal of the 737-8 is its increased range, which will allow Somon Air to fly to new destinations that were previously out of reach. The airline plans to operate the 737-8 on short- and medium-haul routes across Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Abdulkosim Valiev, CEO of Somon Air, commented on the delivery: “Considering the central geographic location of Tajikistan and the improved range capability of Boeing 737-8, this fleet expansion gives Somon Air opportunity to open new routes with improved economics considering the new aircrafts’ fuel efficiency.”