Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Boeing and Silk Way Airlines, a cargo carrier based in Baku, announced an order for two Boeing 747-8 Freighters valued at $704 million at current list prices, Boeing reported on its official website.

"Silk Way Airlines vision is to be a successful and profitable cargo operator by investing in its fleet and services and continuing to increase its regional and international footprint," president of the SW Holding's parent company, Silk Way Airlines Zaur Akhundov said. "The order for two Boeing 747-8 Freighters is a move in that direction."

Silk Way Airlines is a cargo airline with its head office and flight operations on the property of Heydar Aliyev International Airport.The company was founded in 2001 and offers freight services linking Europe to Asia. The airline's name refers to the historical Silk Road trading route between the two continents.

"One of the goals of the Azerbaijani government is to continue building Baku's strategic positioning as a trade hub," the president of Azerbaijan Airlines and architect of the country's present day civil aviation industry Jahangir Askerov said.

"The addition of the new Boeing 747-8 Freighters will enable Silk Way Airlines to expand its operations and help the government achieve its objective," Askerov noted.

Silk Way Airlines currently operates Boeing 747-400 Freighters and 767-300 Freighters. It provides full-fledged services to Europe and the United Kingdom and the Middle East, as well as the Far East including Korea, China and Hong Kong. In addition, it also serves international destinations through a network of alliances.

The new 747-8 Freighter gives cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large freighter airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance. It is optimized to provide greater revenue cargo-carrying capability than the 747-400, offering 16 percent more cargo volume while keeping its iconic nose door. With more than 150,000 hours in service, the 747-8 Freighters are achieving performance milestones with customers reporting 1 percent better fuel burn than expected. To date, Boeing has delivered thirty-six 747-8 Freighters.

Silk Way Airlines offers the following services:

International freight: oil-&-gas equipment, construction material and heavy industrial equipment, automobiles, vehicles and spare parts, humanitarian cargo, live animals and perishables, foodstuff, stage and exhibition equipment, consumer goods consignments, hazardous goods handled in full compliance with ICAO standards.

Cargo insurance: aircraft operation is associated with certain risks, among them aircraft loss and damage. The entire fleet as well as the third party liability and crew are insured at London Insurance Market.

Silk Way Airlines has established an extensive network of offices all over the world including USA, UK, Europe, Dubai, Afganistan and China.