Silk Way West Airlines has operated the first commercial flight to Istanbul on its new Boeing 777F aircraft.

The new aircraft is replacing the Boeing 747-400F that previously operated the Baku to Istanbul route.

The Boeing 777F is the world’s largest twin-engine and most efficient and environmentally friendly freighter on the market.

Silk Way West Airlines says this addition to its fleet will contribute to the airline’s sustainability goals and ensure its commitment to reducing emissions.

Silk Way West Airlines is the leading cargo airline in the Caspian and Central Asian region, with an annual cargo turnover exceeding 500,000 tonnes.

Vugar Mammadov, vice president of the leading cargo airline in the Caspian and Central Asian region, said: “We are immensely proud to witness this momentous occasion as our new aircraft, the Boeing 777F, stretches its wings for the first time.

“This marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for our airline, as we continue to uphold the highest standards of safety and reliability while embracing the evolving landscape of cargo transportation.

“I am confident that our fleet renewal and expansion will further strengthen the company’s leading position in the global airfreight market for the next 15-20 years.”

Founded in 2012 in Baku, Silk Way West Airlines operates hundreds of flights every month via its fleet of 13 dedicated Boeing 777F, 747-8F, 747-400F aircraft based at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

On April 28, 2021, the airline signed a strategic fleet expansion agreement with Boeing for the purchase of five new 777 Freighters, followed by a further agreement signed on November 10, 2022 for the purchase of two state-of-the-art 777-8 Freighters.

The airline also agreed the purchase of two A350 Freighters with Airbus on June 28, 2022.