ECONOMY
Silk Way Airlines Signs MoU with Boeing for 747-8 Freighters
Baku, March 19 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijan`s Silk Way Airlines has inked a memorandum of understanding with Boeing company to purchase four new high capacity Boeing 747-8 freighter aircrafts.
The MoU was signed by the Silk Way Air Company`s managing director Shamsaddin Mirsalayev and Marty Bentrott, vice president of Sales for Russia, Central Asia and Middle East, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, at the Azerbaijani Airlines (AZAL) on March 18.
According to Shamsaddin Mirsalayev, the first two freighter aircrafts will be delivered to the country in 2014-2015, while the two others are planned for 2016-2017.
The company said the purchase would expand its overall fleet capacity by almost 16 percent and in particular strengthen the airline`s market share in the international market.
“The technologically advanced 747-8 air cargo shipments will deliver improved operating economics, efficiency and environmental performance in support of Silk Way Airlines continued growth” he added.
At present, the Azerbaijani company exploits three of Boeing 747-4 and two of Boeing 767-3 freighters accordingly.
Azerbaijan`s Silk Way Airlines is a valued customer of Boeing that has built a very successful cargo business with the help of five 747 Freighters and we`re confident Silk Way Airlines will maintain its impressive rate of growth, supported by the new fleet of Boeing 747-8 Freighters," said Marty Bentrott.
The Boeing 747-8 is a wide-body jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Officially announced in 2005, the 747-8 is the fourth-generation Boeing 747 version, with lengthened fuselage, redesigned wings, and improved efficiency. The 747-8 is the largest 747 version, the largest commercial aircraft built in the United States, and the longest passenger aircraft in the world.
The 747-8 is offered in two main variants: the 747-8 Intercontinental (747-8I) for passengers and the 747-8 Freighter (747-8F) for cargo.