GE Aerospace has signed an extended services agreement with Silk Way West Airlines to support the Azerbaijani cargo carrier’s expanding fleet of Boeing widebody aircraft.

The deal covers five Boeing 747-8 Freighters powered by GEnx-2B engines, six Boeing 777 Freighters powered by GE90-115Bs, and up to four Boeing 777-8 Freighters that will be powered by GE9X engines.

Silk Way West’s fleet modernisation strategy, announced in 2021 and 2022, included orders for Boeing 777-8 Freighters and 777 Freighters. The airline currently handles an annual cargo turnover of more than 500,000 tonnes and serves over 40 destinations across Europe, the CIS, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.

Onno Pietersma, chief operating officer of Silk Way West Airlines, said: “We are pleased to announce this extension of our partnership. It will continue to help us deliver on our long-term strategy of sustainable growth and allow us to continuously improve the services we provide to our valuable customers.”

Russell Stokes, president and chief executive, commercial engines and services at GE Aerospace, added: “We are proud to continue building our relationship with Silk Way West Airlines as they modernise their fleet. GE Aerospace widebody engines represent the pinnacle of aviation technology, designed to lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact.”

Engine highlights

• GE9X: the world’s most powerful commercial aircraft engine, exclusive to the Boeing 777X family, delivering 10% better specific fuel consumption than its predecessor.

• GEnx: GE’s fastest-selling high-thrust engine, in service since 2011 with over 62 million flight hours and more than 3,600 units in service and backlog.

• GE90: launched in 1990 as the first commercial engine in the 100,000-pound thrust class, pioneering composite fan blades and additive manufacturing.

All GE Aerospace commercial engines are certified to operate on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends.

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