Silk Way West Airlines (SWWA) has signed an order with Boeing for two 777-8 Freighters with an option for two additional aircraft.
A statement released by the Azeri cargo airline states that delivery of the aircraft is planned for 2029 and 2030.
The order makes SWWA the first customer in Central Asia to order Boeing’s twin-engine freighter.
The announcement follows a purchase agreement for five Boeing 777s signed by the airline in April 2021, and an order for two Airbus A350 freighters placed in June 2022.
“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,” Silk Way Group president, Zaur Akhundov said.
“This year Silk Way West Airlines celebrates its 10th anniversary, and over the past decade we have been operating an all-Boeing fleet. Today’s agreement reflects our ongoing investment in Boeing’s market-leading freighters.”
Commenting on SWWA’s order, 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.”
Deal added: “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.”