Baku, Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for two Airbus A350F freighters, marking the first order from the Caspian region for the aircraft type.
On Tuesday (June 28, 2022), Airbus announced that Baku, Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines has placed an order for two Airbus A350F freighters, the first order from the Caspian region for the aircraft type. Based on the Airbus A350, the A350F will feature a large main deck cargo door and a fuselage length which has been optimized for cargo operations. More than 70 percent of the airframe is made of advanced materials resulting in a lighter takeoff weight. When combined with efficient Rolls-Royce engines, the aircraft delivers a 20 percent reduction in fuel burn and emissions compared to the closest competitor aircraft currently available. The A350F offers a payload capacity of 109 tons, three tons and 11 percent more volume versus the competition.
In Tuesday’s announcment, Silk Way West Airlines’ President, Mr. Wolfgang Meier, said,
“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.”
Also commenting on the new freighter order, Airbus’ Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, Christian Scherer, said,
“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.”
The Airbus A350F has been designed to serve all cargo markets including express, general cargo and special cargo, and is the only new generation large freighter ready for the enhanced ICAO CO2 emissions standards. Launched in 2021, the Airbus A350 F has received 31 orders and commitments from six customers.
Source: Airbus