Silk Way West Airlines has ordered five Boeing 777 Freighters as they expand their international network. The order marks the first purchase of the long-range high-capacity freighter in the Caspian region and Central Asia.
On Wednesday (April 28, 2021), Boeing announced that Baku, Azerbaijan-based private cargo operator Silk Way West Airlines has placed an order for five Boeing 777 Freighters, marking the first purchase of the high-capacity long-range freighter by an operator in the Caspian region and Central Asia. The cargo operator is expanding their international network to meet the growing global cargo demand. Silk Way Airlines and Boeing representatives announced the agreement at a signing ceremony in Baku attended by Silk Way Group President, Zaur Akhundov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, Rashad Nabiyev, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Earle D. Litzenberger, and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President, Stan Deal.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Silk Way Group’s President, Zaur Akhundov, said,
“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.”
Also commenting on the 777F order, Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ President, Stan Deal, added,
“Silk Way West Airlines has been rapidly expanding the geographic reach of its network. With the global air freight market forecasted to grow more than 60% over the next 20 years, this new order bolsters their ability to meet trade and e-commerce demand in the Commonwealth of Independent States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. We are honored to partner with them and look forward to introducing the market-leading efficiency and capability of the 777 Freighter to its fleet of 747 Freighters.”
The Boeing 777 Freighter is largest, longest range and most capable twin-engine freighter in the world. Compared to legacy airplanes, the 777F offers better fuel efficiency and a 17 percent reduction in CO2 emissions. The freighter has a range of 9,200 kilometers and can carry a maximum payload of 102,000 kilograms. Designed for easy cargo operations integration, the new 777Fs will provide operational flexibility, complementing Silk Way West Airlines’ fleet of Boeing 747-400 and 747-8 Freighters. Both the 747 and 777 Freighters can carry outsized cargo on three meter tall pallets and the 777F’s main deck side cargo door is 3.72 meters wide, giving the aircraft outsized cargo capability beyond tall payloads.
Boeing’s 777 Freighter is the company’s best-selling freighter of all time. Since its introduction in 2005, customers around the world have ordered 247 aircraft. Boeing is the global market leader in cargo aircraft, providing over 90 percent of the world’s dedicated freighter capacity, including new and converted aircraft.
Founded in 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Silk Way West Airlines is the largest cargo carrier in the Caspian Sea region with an annual cargo turnover of 350,000 tons. The airline is based at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku and operates approximately 350 monthly scheduled flights to 40 global destinations.
Boeing (NYSE:BA) is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading supplier of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, as well as global services. The aerospace giant tops the list of the largest U.S. exporters, providing a significant positive impact to America’s annual GDP. Boeing supports government and commercial customers in over 150 countries and employs more than 160,000 team members worldwide. As Boeing continues to deliver for customers, they are committed to their legacy of aerospace leadership in technology and innovation and will continue investing in their people for future growth.
Source: Boeing