Somon Air has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-8, the first 737 MAX to enter service in Tajikistan, as the airline advances a fleet modernisation and network expansion programme. The aircraft is the first of two 737-8s leased from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and will support short- and medium-haul operations across Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The delivery was disclosed from Dushanbe and comes as Somon Air continues to renew a fleet built around earlier-generation Boeing 737 variants. Boeing has positioned the 737-8 as a lower-emissions replacement aircraft, with around 20% lower fuel use and carbon emissions than the type it supersedes.
Somon Air plans to use the new narrowbody to add capacity and potentially open new routes, including services to London, Beijing and Guangzhou. Boeing and Somon Air previously outlined a broader commitment covering up to 14 Boeing aircraft, including 787 Dreamliners and 737 MAX jets.