Silk Way West Airlines has signed a firm order of two 777-8 Freighters with options for two more. This order was previously listed as unidentified on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website.
Zaur Akhundov, Silk Way Group president, said: “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. This year Silk Way West airline celebrates its 10th anniversary, and over the past decade, the carrier has 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."
Stan Deal, president, and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: “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. 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 realize the ambition of making Baku a global cargo hub."
Silk Way West Airlines is an Azerbaijani cargo carrier currently serving 40 destinations globally and is the first customer in Eurasia to order the B777 Freighter. According to Boeing, the B777 is the most fuel-efficient twin-engine freighter providing 30% better fuel efficiency and emissions and 25% better operating costs per ton.