Azerbaijan developing aviation industry
By Amina Nazarli
The Baku Cargo Terminal has allowed Azerbaijan to become a transit point for cargo travelling from America and Europe to Asia, and vice versa.
This is an integral part of the "Silk Road" said Silk Way Group President Zaur Akhundov at the 6th Caspian Air Cargo Summit running in Baku on October 6.
He informed guests that the terminal has been operating for many years and provides a full range of services on ground handling of cargo aircrafts and handling air cargo flows.
Akhundov also noted that recently there have been certain difficulties for air cargo transit.
“The economic recession in many countries, including Russia and Central Asia affected the real decline in cargo volumes. Tariff reductions, ruthless competition, the constant rise in the cost and equipment services – this is not a temporary phenomenon, but a common situation where the companies need to look for ways and measures to overcome it,” he said.
The Silk Way president added that the company must continue to develop its business concept and a strategy to reduce costs.
“Rising global competition will also show who the winner is and who is at a loss in the fight for success and leadership in the market. Azerbaijan is developing the aviation industry. The opening of the new terminal of the Heydar Aliyev International Airport contributed to the transformation of Baku into the logistics center and increased its strategic importance in a global perspective,” he said.
He noted that under such conditions, the Silk Way Group expects to modernize its fleet.
“Our company is one of the leading cargo transporters both in the region and CIS and we are proud of the high level service quality that we have achieved. To improve quality "Silk Way Airlines" and the Boeing company have signed a memorandum on purchasing five modern Boeing 747-8 cargo aircrafts,” Akhundov noted.
Earlier, three aircrafts arrived in Baku and two more Boeing 747-8 are expected to land in the country in 2016.
The purchase of Boeing 747-8s is a remarkable event for developing Azerbaijani aviation, Akhundov said, adding that the country is going to increase their number in the future.
Speaking at the event, Silk Way West Airlines Vice President Pierre Wesner said that the company could revise the volume of freight traffic to China.
The ongoing process of the weakening of the Chinese economy has had some effect on the volume of cargo through to the country, the vice president believes.
“In this regard, we may review the amount of cargo transportation and flights scheduled for China. Currently, the frequency of flights is several times per week, and we will take a decision depending on the developments in the Chinese market. Nevertheless, Hong Kong remains our most important strategic point,” Wesner underlined.
Silk Way West is a subsidiary of Silk Way Company, which includes 23 companies operating in the aviation industry and related services.
Currently the airlines has eight Boeing aircrafts including two 767-300 freighters, three 747-400 freighters and three 747-8 freighters.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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