Somon Air is the national flag carrier of Tajikistan and the main airline of the country. Founded in 2008 and based in the capital city of Dushanbe, Somon Air is one of the few airlines in Central Asia to have achieved international recognition. With a fleet of modern aircraft, the airline currently operates to destinations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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The founding of Somon Air can be traced back to 2005, when the government of Tajikistan approved the privatization of the state-run Tajik Air. This paved the way for the foundation of Somon Air, which was officially launched in 2008. The airline immediately set about expanding its fleet with the acquisition of new Boeing and Airbus aircraft, and the launch of flights to international destinations.

The first major milestone for the airline came in 2009 when it began operations to Moscow, its first international destination. This was quickly followed by the launch of flights to other major cities in Russia, such as St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. In 2010, the airline began operations to Dubai, which was the first long-haul route to be launched by the airline. This was followed by the launch of flights to Istanbul in 2011 and to Beijing in 2012.

Since then, the airline has continued to expand its operations, with the launch of flights to London, Paris, Milan, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt in 2014. The same year saw the launch of the airline's first domestic route, with the launch of flights between Dushanbe and Khujand. In 2015, Somon Air became the first airline in the Central Asian region to launch flights to the United States, with the launch of flights to New York.

In 2016, the airline launched its first cargo service, with the launch of flights to China. The same year saw the launch of flights to Thailand and India, as well as the commencement of flights to the United Arab Emirates. In 2018, the airline began operating flights to Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

The airline has also been involved in a number of incidents in its history. In 2012, one of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing due to engine failure. In 2016, the airline was subject to a federal investigation due to its alleged involvement in drug trafficking. However, the investigation was later dropped due to lack of evidence.

Overall, Somon Air has come a long way since its launch in 2008. With its fleet of modern aircraft and its extensive network of international destinations, the airline has become one of the leading carriers in Central Asia. It has also become one of the few airlines in the region to achieve international recognition.