The Azerbaijani cargo carrier, Silk Way West Airlines, signed an order with Boeing for two 777-8 Freighters with options for two additional aircraft. The aircraft deliveries are planned for 2029 and 2030.

The Central Asia customer is the first in the region to order this twin-engine freighter. It can carry about 118 tonnes of structural payload and has a range of over 9,200 km. The new GE9X engines and wing design of the 777-8 offers 30% better fuel efficiency and emission levels and lowers operating costs per tonne by a quarter.

These planes will be used by Silk Way West Airlines to expand its international network and meet growing demand, as well as strengthen the Azerbaijani capital Baku as an international cargo hub. It is an increasingly important point in the Middle Corridor. The new 777-8 aircraft complement SWWA’s fleet development plans, and follows the signing of a purchase agreement for five Boeing 777s in April 2021.

“We are pleased to announce this order with our longstanding partner Boeing and become one of the world’s first customers for the newest freighter,” said Zaur Akhundov, Silk Way Group president. “This year Silk Way West airline celebrates its 10th anniversary, and over the past decade, we have been operating an all-Boeing fleet. Today’s agreement reflects our ongoing investment in Boeing’s market-leading freighters. Our fleet renewal plans will help to further reduce our operating costs and enhance fuel efficiency as well as make air freight services in our region more sustainable.”

“With sustained demand for air cargo tied to expanding e-commerce and air freight’s speed and reliability, Boeing expects the global freighter fleet to increase by 60% through 2041,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are proud that Boeing products, including this order for the 777-8 Freighter, continue to drive Silk Way West Airlines’ expansion plans and help realise the ambition of making Baku a global cargo hub.”