Somon Air, the largest airline in Tajikistan, has finalized an agreement to acquire two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from DAE Capital. These new jets are expected to be added to the airline’s fleet in 2026. The decision comes after years of consideration, as the Dushanbe-based carrier had been contemplating replacing its aging fleet of 737 NG aircraft since 2019.
The grounding of the MAX series in 2020 and the global pandemic led Somon Air to explore alternatives such as Embraer and Airbus before ultimately deciding on the MAX. In January 2025, Somon Air confirmed to ch-aviation that they would proceed with the purchase. CEO Abdulkosim Valiev stated: “The signing of this agreement is part of our long-term strategy to modernise the [Somon Air] fleet and improve the quality of service…The new B737-8s allow us to expand our route network, increase operational efficiency and offer our passengers modern conditions for comfortable flights as well as increase the frequency of flights.”
In addition to expanding its fleet, Somon Air is planning new routes. During a press conference on January 29th, Habibullo Nazarzoda from Tajikistan’s Civil Aviation Agency announced that permission had been granted for Somon Air to initiate flights to London once they receive their new aircraft in 2026. However, details about which London airport will be served remain unclear due to pending slot allocations.
The acquisition of these aircraft will also enable Somon Air to consider other international routes such as Dushanbe-Amsterdam and destinations in South Korea. Meanwhile, plans are underway for launching services to Saudi Arabia later in 2025.
Founded in competition with Tajik Air, Somon Air began operations on February 5, 2008, primarily focusing on passenger services across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Russia. The airline joined IATA in September 2017 after nearly a decade without membership and has established interline agreements with various Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) airlines.
At present, Somon Air operates four Boeing 737-800s and two Boeing 737-900s named after notable Tajik figures. These aircraft are based at Dushanbe International Airport and Khujand Airport.
Despite not being part of any major airline alliance that could benefit a London route or having an apparent hub-and-spoke model advantage over regional competitors like Turkish Airlines or Emirates, Somon Air remains committed to exploring new opportunities for growth.
