On April 28, 2021, Azerbaijan-based cargo carrier Silk Way West Airlines ordered five Boeing 777 freighters, a move that marks the first order of the long-range, high capacity twin-engine freighter in the Caspian region and Central Asia.
“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.
The Boeing 777 freighter has a range of 9,200 kilometres and is able to carry a maximum payload of 102 tons. Its main deck side cargo door is 3.72 meters wide, a parameter that gives the freighter outsized carriage capability.
According to Silk Way West Airline, new Boeing 777 freighters would help meet the increased cargo demand and provide operational flexibility with the airline’s existing Boeing 747 fleet. Currently, Silk Way West Airlines has five Boeing 747-400 freighters and five Boeing 747-8s, Planespotters.net data shows.
“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,” president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Stan Deal said.
Baku-based Silk Way West Airlines was founded in 2012 and is the largest cargo carrier in Caspian Sea region with an annual cargo turnover of 350,000 tons. Silk Way West Airlines operates approximately 350 monthly scheduled flights to 40 destinations across the globe.