Ex-Soviet Republics Order 5 Boeing Jets

The national airlines of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have ordered five jetliners from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group for about $381 million.

Deliveries of two 767-300 extended range aircraft and a 757-200 to Uzbekistan Airways and of two 757-200s to the National Civil Aviation Authority of Turkmenistan are tentatively set to begin late next year, depending on the outcome of a strike by production workers, Boeing spokesman Jerry Johnson said Friday.

The Uzbekistan order, the first received by Boeing from the former Soviet republic, is worth an estimated $258 million. The order from Turkmenistan, which already has three 737-300s, is worth about $123 million.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents more than 32,000 Boeing employee, has been on strike against the company since Oct. 5 in a contract dispute. No negotiations are scheduled.