Silk Way West Airlines, based in Baku, Azerbaija,n has signed a firm contract for an additional two A350F freighter aircraft. The agreement, which takes the total order to four A350Fs, forms the backbone of Silk Way West Airlines’ fleet modernisation and expansion strategy.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Airbus on the A350F programme. This order, bringing our total commitment to four aircraft, marks a major milestone in our company’s growth and reflects our confidence in the future of sustainable air freight. The A350F will strengthen our leading position in the global air freight market as we continue to modernise our fleet and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Wolfgang Meier, President of Silk Way West Airlines.

“This repeat order from Silk Way West Airlines, the largest cargo airline in the Caspian Sea region, is a great vote of confidence at a time when the A350F is physically taking shape in our assembly lines. The A350F will ensure the airline maintains its leading position in the global air freight market and further enables its key role in developing Azerbaijan as a major global cargo hub at the heart of the Silk Road,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.

The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46 tonne lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative. The A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027. Currently, the assembly of test aircraft in Toulouse is underway.