Silk Way West’s first of five Boeing 777 Family Freighters touched down today at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, as part of the Baku-based cargo airline’s fleet modernization program.
On Tuesday (October 3, 2023), Boeing announced that Baku, Azerbaijan-based cargo carrier Silk Way West Airlines has taken delivery of their first of five Boeing 777 Freighters, as the airline modernizes their fleet and expands into new markets. Designed to integrate seamlessly with existing cargo operations, the 777F will provide Silk Way West with enhanced efficiency and operational flexibility. Offering a range of 9,200 kilometers, the 777F has a maximum structural payload capacity of 107,000 kilograms, allowing operators to make fewer stops, and thereby reduce landing fees on long-haul routes. With a large diameter fuselage the freighter allows for the transport of tall and outsized cargo on three-meter pallets. Additionally, its main deck side cargo door is 3.72 meters wide, allowing convenient loading of taller and wider cargo.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Silk Way West Airlines’ Vice President – Americas, Fadi Nahas, said,
“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. 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.”
Also commenting on the 777 Freighter delivery, Boeing’s Vice President Sales – Eurasia, Paul Righi, said,
“With the global air cargo fleet expected to grow by more than 60% over the next 20 years, the unmatched efficiency of the 777 Freighter will boost Silk Way West's capabilities and allow them to further scale their world-class cargo operations. We are honored to strengthen our partnership as Silk Way West continues to build its freighter fleet.”
The 777 Freighter is Boeing’s best-selling freighter ever, and has won 319 orders since the program launched in 2005.
Baku, Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines was founded in 2012 and is the largest cargo airline in the Caspian Sea region with an annual turnover of 350,000 tons. The carrier is based at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, and operates around 350 monthly scheduled flights worldwide.
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 living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.
Source: Boeing/PRNewswire