Silk Way West Airlines Welcomes First Boeing 777 Freighter, Expanding Its Cargo Fleet

Silk Way West Airlines’ first Boeing 777 Freighter arrived at Heydar Aliyev International Airport as the airline becomes the newest operator of the world’s largest, longest range and most capable twin-engine freighter. (Photo: Boeing)

Silk Way West Airlines, a prominent cargo airline based in Baku, marked a significant milestone as it received its first Boeing 777 Freighter at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. This addition makes Silk Way West Airlines the latest operator of the world’s largest, longest-range, and most capable twin-engine freighter, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to meeting the growing global demand for cargo services.

The arrival of the Boeing 777 Freighter aligns with Silk Way West Airlines’ strategic vision to enhance its environmental sustainability, fuel efficiency, and growth prospects. Fadi Nahas, Vice President of Silk Way West Airlines, Americas, expressed excitement about the expansion, emphasizing its potential to increase flight volume and reach additional strategic destinations. This expansion solidifies Baku’s status as a regional and global transportation hub.

Designed for seamless integration into existing cargo operations, the 777 Freighter enhances efficiency and operational flexibility for Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West. With an impressive range of 9,200 kilometers (5,700 miles) and the ability to carry a maximum structural payload of 107,000 kilograms (235,400 lbs), this aircraft reduces the need for multiple stops on long-haul routes, thereby minimizing landing fees. Its spacious fuselage accommodates tall and oversized cargo on 3-meter-tall pallets, and its main deck side cargo door, measuring 3.72 meters wide, facilitates the convenient loading of taller and wider cargo.

The 777 Freighter’s enhanced fuel efficiency, coupled with Silk Way West Airlines’ recent selection of the 777-8 Freighter, aligns with the carrier’s sustainability objectives for both the short and long term. As the global air cargo fleet is expected to grow by over 60% in the next two decades, the operational efficiency of the 777 Freighter positions Silk Way West to further elevate its cargo operations on a global scale.

Paul Righi, Boeing Vice President Sales, Eurasia, highlighted the significance of the partnership with Silk Way West, reinforcing Boeing’s commitment to supporting the airline’s freighter fleet expansion. Boeing’s 777 Freighter, the top-selling freighter in its class, enjoys strong demand worldwide, with a total of 319 orders since the program’s inception in 2005. Boeing remains the dominant provider of dedicated freighter capacity, serving more than 90% of the global market, encompassing both new-production and converted freighter aircraft.

Silk Way West Airlines, established in 2012, has emerged as the largest cargo airline in the Caspian Sea region, boasting an annual cargo turnover of 350,000 tons. Operating from its base at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, the airline conducts approximately 350 monthly scheduled flights to 40 destinations across the globe, solidifying its position as a key player in the cargo aviation industry.