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

Tajikistan's national carrier Somon Air took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX, named Avicenna after the medieval polymath. The aircraft is powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines, which offer a 20% fuel reduction compared to previous models.

The 737-8's range of 3,500 nautical miles makes it suitable for Somon Air's target expansion routes, including London, Seoul, and Beijing. The airline plans to use the new aircraft on existing routes before launching new ones.

The $9 billion acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has made DAE the world's third-largest aircraft leasing company. Somon Air leased the 737 MAX from DAE Capital, which holds over 190 Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft in its portfolio.