Image: Silk Way West Airlines
Azerbaijan’s Silk Way West Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for two A350Fs from Airbus. This is the first order from the Caspian region for this aircraft type.
Said Wolfgang Meier, president of Baku-based Silk Way West Airlines: “I am confident of the success that the acquisition of these new aircraft will bring us. The signing of this agreement marks a new milestone in the growth of our company.
“There is no doubt that this agreement will strengthen the company’s leading position in the global air freight market over the next 15-20 years.”
Said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International: “I welcome Silk Way West Airlines as a new Airbus customer. The A350F is a game changer in efficiency and sustainability for the cargo operations of the future.
“We look forward to demonstrating how positively the economics and environmental signature of the A350s will stand out versus older generation aircraft.”
The A350F is based on the world’s most modern long range passenger aircraft. The A350 freighter aircraft will feature a large main deck cargo door and a fuselage length optimised for cargo operations.
Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials resulting in a 30 tonnes lighter take-off weight, which together with efficient Rolls-Royce engines generate an advantage of at least 20% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions over its current closest competitor.
Airbus said that the A350F’s 109 tonnes payload capability is three tonnes higher or 11% greater than its competition.
The planemaker added that the A350F serves the express, general cargo, and special cargo airfreight makers and is, in the large freighter category, the only new generation freighter aircraft ready on-time for the enhanced ICAO CO₂ emissions standards.
Launched in 2021, to date the A350F has 31 orders and commitments from six customers.
