Boeing, Silk Way West Airlines announce order for 2 777-8 freighters
First customer for new fuel-efficient 777-8 freighter in the Eurasia region
Boeing and Silk Way West Airlines have finalised an order of two 777-8 freighters with options for two additional airplanes. The companies announced the agreement at a signing ceremony at Boeing Commercial Airplanes' Seattle Delivery Centre.
The Azerbaijani cargo carrier, which serves 40 destinations around the world, is the first customer in the Eurasia region to order the fuel-efficient twin-engine freighter, says a release from Boeing.
"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," says Zaur Akhundov, president, Silk Way Group. "This year Silk Way West Airlines 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."
Boeing launched the new 777-8 freighter in January 2022 and has booked more than 50 orders for the model. The 777-8 freighter has nearly identical payload and range capabilities as the 747-400 freighter while providing 30 percent better fuel efficiency and emissions and 25 percent better operating costs per tonne, the release 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 percent through 2041," says Stan Deal, president and CEO, 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."
Founded in 2012 in Baku, at the heart of the Silk Road, Silk Way West Airlines operates around 800 monthly flights across the globe via its fleet of 12 dedicated Boeing 747-8F and 747-400F aircraft based at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the release added.
