Silk Way West Airlines doubles down on Houston with cargo service to Baku
The new Boeing 747-8F freighter service doubles the airline's existing weekly capacity at IAH.
Houston Airports has announced an expansion in international air cargo connectivity at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Beginning January 10, 2026, Silk Way West Airlines launched a second weekly freighter flight, establishing a new nonstop link between Houston and Baku, Azerbaijan.
Operating a Boeing 747-8F freighter, the new service complements the airline’s existing weekly schedule, effectively doubling its capacity at IAH. While the carrier’s initial service, launched in spring 2023, included commercial stops in Chicago and Frankfurt-Hahn, this new frequency will provide a direct, nonstop connection to the Azerbaijani capital.
“This expanded service is a direct result of Houston’s strength as a global cargo hub and the reliability of operations at Bush Airport,” said Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports. “As global trade demands evolve, Houston is well positioned to support additional capacity and nonstop connections that move critical goods efficiently and safely.”
As per the press release, air cargo activity at the hub is surging, generating an estimated $13.8 billion annually for the Houston region. The airport is on track to set a record in 2025, moving 565,000 metric tons of cargo representing more than $23 billion in international trade value.
The increased capacity is designed to support the movement of high-demand commodities essential to Houston’s economy, including key exports and imports on this route such as energy sector equipment, medical supplies, high-tech hardware, and perishables and industrial goods.
“Adding a second frequency at Houston signals the growing demand we are seeing in the U.S. energy and industrial hub,” said Fadi Nahas, Vice President-Americas for Silk Way West Airlines.
“More frequencies mean greater flexibility and reliability for our shippers, and this expansion reflects Silk Way West Airlines’ commitment to improved service and an ever‑stronger global reach,” he further added.
Silk Way West currently operates hundreds of monthly cargo flights serving Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas using a fleet of Boeing 747-8F and 747-400F aircraft.
Looking ahead, the carrier is modernising its capabilities with future deliveries, which include three Boeing 777-300F aircraft in 2027, followed by four Airbus A350F aircraft in 2028, and finally four Boeing 777-8F aircraft in 2029.
