Silk Way West Airlines, based in Baku, Azerbaijan, has signed a firm contract for two additional
Airbus A350F freighter aircraft, taking its total order to four. The agreement underpins the airline’s fleet modernisation and expansion strategy as it looks to strengthen its position in the global air freight market.
Wolfgang Meier, president of Silk Way West Airlines, said: “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.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus executive vice-president of sales (Commercial Aircraft business), said: “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.”
The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46-tonne lighter take-off weight than competing derivatives. It is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO
2 emissions standards, which come into effect in 2027. Assembly of the test aircraft is currently underway in Toulouse.
The A350F can carry a payload of up to 111 tonnes and fly up to 4,700nm. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aeroplane will deliver up to 40% lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared to previous-generation freighters with similar payload-range capability. It will be able to operate with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at entry into service, with the aim of achieving 100% capability by 2030, in line with all Airbus aircraft. By the end of October 2025, the all-new A350F had secured 74 orders from 12 customers worldwide.