Silk Way West Airlines takes delivery of first Boeing 777 Freighter

The cargo carrier is modernizing its fleet with five Boeing 777 Freighters

Silk Way West Airlines' first Boeing 777 Freighter arrived at Heydar Aliyev International Airport today as the airline becomes the newest operator of the world's largest, longest range and most capable twin-engine freighter. The 777 Freighter will enable Silk Way West to increase its capacity to meet growing cargo demand around the globe.

Silk Way West Airlines’ first Boeing 777 Freighter arrived at Heydar Aliyev International Airport today as the airline becomes the newest operator of the world's largest, longest range and most capable twin-engine freighter. (Photo: Boeing)

"Delivery of this aircraft marks a defining moment in our strategic plan to make Silk Way West Airlines greener, more fuel efficient, and better positioned for growth from conception to reality," said Fadi Nahas, vice president of Silk Way West Airlines, Americas. "This expansion of the fleet will open up opportunities for Silk Way West Airlines to boost the volume of flights and extend our reach to additional strategic destinations, reflecting the growing importance of our home base of Baku as a regional and global transportation hub."

Silk Way West Airlines gets ready for first 777F flight.

Just a few days left until the inaugural flight of Silk Way West Airlines' first Boeing 777F to Baku. Get ready for a new era of aviation excellence. Boeing 777F is set to revolutionize our cargo operations, bringing even greater efficiency and capacity. Watch the exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at this game-changing addition to our fleet.

 

https://youtu.be/8JDbxL3eV8U?feature=shared

Silk Way West Airlines orders two 777-8 freighters

Photo Boeing

Boeing and Silk Way West Airlines have finalized an order of two 777-8 Freighters, with options for two additional aeroplanes. The two companies announced the agreement at a signing ceremony today at Boeing Commercial Airplanes' Seattle Delivery Center.

The Azerbaijani cargo carrier, which serves 40 destinations around the world, is the first customer in the Eurasia region to order the industry's newest, most capable and most fuel-efficient twin-engine freighter.  The order was previously listed as unidentified on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website.

"We are pleased to announce this order with our longstanding partner Boeing and become one of the world's first customers for the newest freighter," said Zaur Akhundov, Silk Way Group president. "This year Silk Way West Airlines celebrates its 10th anniversary, and over the past decade the carrier has been operating an all-Boeing fleet. Today's agreement reflects our ongoing investment in Boeing's market-leading freighters. Our fleet renewal plans will help to further reduce our operating costs and enhance fuel efficiency as well as make air freight services in our region more sustainable."

Boeing launched the new 777-8 Freighter in January 2022 and has booked more than 50 orders for the model. The 777-8 Freighter has nearly identical payload and range capabilities as the 747-400 Freighter while providing 30% better fuel efficiency and emissions and 25% better operating costs per tonne. It is the ideal choice as operators replace aging freighters later this decade.

"With sustained demand for air cargo tied to expanding e-commerce and air freight's speed and reliability, Boeing expects the global freighter fleet to increase by 60% through 2041," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are proud that Boeing products, including this order for the 777-8 Freighter, continue to drive Silk Way West Airlines' expansion plans and help realize the ambition of making Baku a global cargo hub."

Boeing provides more than 90% of the worldwide dedicated freighter capacity, including new production and converted aircraft.

Silk Way West Airlines signs order for two A350F

 Silk Way West Airlines based in Baku, Azerbaijan has signed a purchase agreement for two A350F. This is the first order from the Caspian region for this aircraft type. The freighters are intended to modernize and further grow the existing fleet with the most efficient and sustainable cargo aircraft available in the market.

“We are delighted to sign the first but surely not the last agreement with Airbus, which marks the start of what I am sure will be a very fruitful partnership as we strive for future growth. Today, our guests witnessed a defining moment in Silk Way West Airlines’ history. I am confident of the success that the acquisition of these new aircraft will bring us. The signing of this agreement marks a new milestone in the growth of our company. There is no doubt that this agreement will strengthen the company's leading position in the global air freight market over the next 15-20 years,” said Mr. Wolfgang Meier, President of Silk Way West Airlines.  

“I welcome Silk Way West Airlines as a new Airbus customer. The A350F is a game-changer in efficiency and sustainability for the cargo operations of the future.  We look forward to demonstrating how positively the economics and environmental signature of the A350s will stand out versus older generation aircraft.” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.

: Mr. Wolfgang Meier, President of Silk Way West Airlines and  Mr.  Wouter Van Wersch, EVP Region & Sales Europe Airbus, at the signature ceremony in Baku 

 The A350F is based on the world's most modern long-range leader, the A350. The aircraft will feature a large main deck cargo door and a fuselage length optimised for cargo operations. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials resulting in a 30 tonnes lighter take-off weight, which together with efficient Rolls-Royce engines generate an advantage of at least 20% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions over its current closest competitor. With a 109 tonnes payload capability (+3t payload / 11% more volume than its competition), the A350F serves all cargo markets (Express, general cargo, special cargo…) and is in the large freighter category the only new generation freighter aircraft ready on-time for the enhanced ICAO CO₂ emissions standards.

 

Launched in 2021, the A350F records to date 31 orders and commitments from six customers.

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Silk Way West Airlines U.S. expansion continues with Dallas and Cincinnati

Photo Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

Baku based cargo carrier, Silk Way West Airlines has been busy expanding in recent weeks with the new U.S. destinations of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport added to its route network.

Photo Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport/ Silk Way West Airlines

Cargo development at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport - CVG has increased greatly in recent years, both DHL and Amazon have grown their hub presence at the airport and at the end of 2021 cargo tonnage was up 18% over 2020. 

Silk Way West Airlines is the newest cargo airline to become a regular visitor at CVG. In conjunction with Crane Worldwide Logistics, the airline will operate 80 inbound and 80 outbound flights during 2022, moving around 14,400 tons of cargo. The 747 Planes will connect Asia and Europe with CVG and are scheduled for once a week until the summer months, then increase to a twice a week service. 

Photo Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport/ Silk Way West Airlines

CVG’s strong airfield infrastructure, including four runways and an apron area to park cargo planes, as well as its proximity to warehouse distribution facilities, made it appealing for the companies to do business. The airport staff worked closely to make connections to secure ground handling arrangements including personnel and equipment. Trego-Dugan Aviation will be providing ground handling support for Silk Way West at CVG.

The latest addition to the carrier's route network is Dallas Fort Worth Airport,  the gateway to Texas and the goldern southern states. The flights are scheduled to operate once a week from Baku to Dallas on Mondays. 

Silk Way West was founded in 2012 and now operates around 350 regular and charter flights monthly to more than 40 destinations across Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Asia as well as North and South America.

The airline's fleet consists of 12 Boeing 747-400F and Boeing 747-8F aircraft equipped with the most advanced safety systems. In 2016, Silk Way West was recognised by Boeing as being the fastest-growing airline in terms of fleet numbers, geographic reach and cargo volume. Today, the airline ranks third in Europe by these three criteria.

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Silk Way West Airlines Orders Five Boeing 777 Freighters

New deal to increase carrier's capacity to meet growing cargo and e-commerce demand777 Freighters provide operational flexibility with airline's existing 747 Freighter fleet

Boeing and Silk Way West Airlines announced the private cargo operator will expand its international network with an order for five 777 Freighters. The deal marks the first purchase of the long-range, high capacity twin-engine freighter in the Caspian region and Central Asia. The airplanes will enable the airline to increase its capacity to meet growing cargo demand around the globe.

"This deal is an incremental part of our fleet renewal and our commitment to meet our customers' expectations. I am confident that the acquisition of new freighters will further strengthen our leading position on the global air freight market for the next 15 to 20 years," said Zaur Akhundov, Silk Way Group president.

Silk Way West Airlines and Boeing leaders announced the agreement during a signing ceremony in Baku that included Akhundov; Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan; and Earle D. Litzenberger, U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan, as well as Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Silk Way Airlines appoints Global Feeder Services as exclusive general sales agent for USA

Silk Way Airlines USA announced that, effective immediately, Global Feeder Services Holding (GFS) will serve as SWA USA’s exclusive General Sales Agent (GSA) responsible for maintaining and further developing customer and sales activities in the United States of America on behalf of Silk Way Airlines and Silk Way West Airlines.

“On behalf of SWA USA, we look forward to working with GFS to strengthen our valued customer relationships and build-upon our proven track record for providing world-wide cargo solutions,” explained Fadi Nahas, Vice President, The Americas.