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Tajikistan's Somon Air doubles B737 MAX plans

Somon Air (SZ, Dushanbe) has boosted its fleet renewal plans and intends to add two, rather than one, B737-8s, Chief Executive Thomas Hallam said during an interview at the virtual Routes Reconnected conference.

"We had discussions with Boeing for the last three-four months. We are getting to the final paperwork. I hope we will be signing the order for two B737 MAX 8s before New Year," Hallam said.

He added that the carrier planned deliveries in early summer 2021.

The order would also include options for two B737-10s, Hallam added. The airline has yet to secure financing for the aircraft. Hallam said that while the topic was difficult, he was "pretty confident" Somon Air would be able to "get it done".

The Tajik privately-owned carrier hopes to expand its network to destinations currently beyond its range thanks to the B737 MAX.

"We had long talks with the South Korean and the Chinese authorities about flights to Beijing, Shanghai Pudong, as well as Seoul Incheon. It would be...

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