Boeing is nearing an agreement to sell three 747-8 freighters to Azerbaijan’s Silk Way West Airlines, a deal that would end a drought in purchases of the humpbacked jumbo jet.

The companies are working toward a purchase agreement that would be valued at US$1.1 billion at list prices, Chicago-based Boeing said in a statement.

“Silk Way Group is a longstanding customer and operator of Boeing’s products and services,” said Marty Bentrott, vice president, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He added: “We value our partnership with Silk Way West and are grateful for their enduring confidence in Boeing and the 747-8 freighter.”

Silk Way West is a unit of Baku-based Silk Way Holding, which includes 23 companies working in the aviation industry and related services. The airline took delivery of two 747-8 freighters in 2014 and operates five other Boeing models. Silk Way West Airlines also operates three Antonov An-12 turboprop freighters and seven Ilyushin Il-76MF jet freighters.