Silk Way West Airlines, based in Azerbaijan, celebrated a significant milestone today with the arrival of its first Boeing 777 Freighter, solidifying its position as the newest operator of this remarkable twin-engine cargo aircraft. The delivery represents a pivotal moment in Silk Way West Airlines’ strategic plans to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and growth opportunities on the global cargo transportation stage.
“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,” according to Fadi Nahas, Vice President of Silk Way West Airlines, Americas.
The Boeing 777 Freighter, designed to seamlessly integrate into existing cargo operations, promises enhanced efficiency and operational flexibility for Silk Way West Airlines. With a remarkable range of 9,200 kilometers and a maximum structural payload capacity of 107,000 kilograms, this freighter allows operators to make fewer stops, reducing landing fees on long-haul routes. The spacious fuselage accommodates tall and oversized cargo loads on 3-meter-tall pallets, and a main deck side cargo door measuring 3.72 meters wide facilitates the convenient loading of taller and wider cargo.
This addition of the 777 Freighter, coupled with the airline’s recent selection of the 777-8 Freighter, will greatly contribute to Silk Way West Airlines’ short- and long-term sustainability objectives.
“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,” said Paul Righi, Boeing Vice President Sales, Eurasia.
Boeing’s 777 Freighter has proven itself as the top-selling freighter in the company’s history. Since its inception in 2005, customers worldwide have ordered a total of 319 777 Freighters. Boeing maintains its position as the market leader in cargo airplanes, providing over 90% of the world’s dedicated freighter capacity, which includes both new production and converted airplanes.
Silk Way West Airlines, founded in 2012 in Baku, is the largest cargo airline in the Caspian Sea region, boasting an impressive annual cargo turnover of 350,000 tons. Operating out of Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, the airline runs approximately 350 monthly scheduled flights to 40 destinations across the globe, further solidifying its reputation as a formidable player in the global cargo transportation industry.