Baku, Azerbaijan based Silk Way West Airlines has signed a contract for two additional A350F freighter aircraft announced at the Dubai Airshow earlier today. The agreement will take the total A350F fleet to four aircraft will form the backbone of the carrier’s fleet modernization and expansion strategy.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Airbus on the A350F program. This order, bringing our total commitment to four aircraft, marks a major milestone in our company’s growth and reflects our confidence in the future of sustainable air freight. The A350F will strengthen our leading position in the global air freight market as we continue to modernize our fleet and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Wolfgang Meier, President of Silk Way West Airlines.
“This repeat order from Silk Way West Airlines, the largest cargo airline in the Caspian Sea region, is a great vote of confidence at a time when the A350F is physically taking shape in our assembly lines. The A350F will ensure the airline maintains its leading position in the global air freight market and further enables its key role in developing Azerbaijan as a major global cargo hub at the heart of the Silk Road,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.
The Bottom Line
Airbus finally has a strong competitor in the freighter marketplace, which Boeing has dominated for decades. The A350F remains the only freighter that meets the ICAO enhanced CO2 emissions requirements coming into effect in 2027. With the certification of the 777-X delayed, the freighter version of that aircraft will likely enter service eight or more years behind schedule.
The A350F can carry a payload of up to 111 tonnes and will fly up to 4,700 nautical miles / 8,700 kilometers, with a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% when compared to previous generation aircraft with a similar payload-range capability.
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