On 19NOV25, Silk Way West Airlines and Airbus shook hands and signed papers confirming the acquisition of a further two A350Fs for the airline, doubling its total order to date. The carrier had previously made history in JUN22, when it became the first operator in Central Asia and the CIS region to sign for the A350F. The move aligns with the airline’s mission to upgrade to a cleaner, greener fleet. The A350F promises a reduction in fuel consumption and cargo emissions of up to 40% in comparison to older aircraft of a similar capacity. It can carry a payload of up to 111 tons, covers a range of up to 8,700 kilometers, and stands out with having the largest main deck cargo door in the sector. Thanks to advanced materials being used to construct its airframe, the plane will have a 46-ton lighter take-off weight than its peers, and is the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet the International Civil Aviation Organization’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, which come into effect in 2027.
Wolfgang Meier, President of Silk Way West Airlines, declared: “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.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft, underlined: “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.”
In other news this week, Silk Way West Airlines and Azerbaijan’s national postal operator, Azerpost LLC, signed a memorandum of cooperation to enhance postal and e-commerce logistics. The two companies will join forces to work on international and domestic cargo delivery, mail sorting, warehousing, and logistics optimization, deploying both their expertise and infrastructure, and a joint, 12,000 m² fully-automated e-commerce terminal at Alat Free Economic Zone. Azerpost will use Silk Way West Airlines’ global network for international e-commerce and mail shipments, bringing regular baseload to the airline. Azerpost takes on last-mile delivery, sorting, and handling operations within Azerbaijan.
