Silk Way West Airlines takes delivery of first Boeing 777 freighter

Silk Way West Airlines' first Boeing 777 freighter arrived at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport as the airline became the newest operator of the world's largest, longest range and most capable twin-engine freighter.

"The 777 freighter will enable Silk Way West to increase its capacity to meet growing cargo demand around the globe," says a release from Boeing.

"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," says Fadi Nahas, Vice President, Silk Way West Airlines, Americas. "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."

Designed to integrate smoothly with existing cargo operations, the 777 freighter will provide Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West with enhanced efficiency and operational flexibility, the release added. "With a range of 9,200 kilometres, the 777 freighter can carry a maximum structural payload of 107,000 kilograms, allowing operators to make fewer stops and reduce landing fees on long-haul routes. The airplane's large fuselage diameter allows carriers to transport tall and outsized cargo loads on three-metre-tall pallets, and its main deck side cargo door is 3.72 metres wide, allowing convenient loading of taller and wider cargo."

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Paul Righi, Vice President, Sales, Eurasia, Boeing says: "With the global air cargo fleet expected to grow by more than 60 percent 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. We are honoured to strengthen our partnership as Silk Way West continues to build its freighter fleet."

Founded in 2012 in Baku, Silk Way West Airlines is the largest cargo airline in the Caspian Sea region with an annual cargo turnover of 350,000 tonnes. The airline operates approximately 350 monthly scheduled flights to 40 destinations around the world, the release added.