747-8

Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines is finalising a $1.1bn order with Boeing for three 747-8 Freighter aircraft.

Boeing and Silk Way West Airlines are working to sign a purchase agreement for the aircraft.

Once the proposed deal is finalised, it will be posted on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Middle East, Russia and Central Asia sales vice-president Marty Bentrott said: "Silk Way Group is a longstanding customer and operator of Boeing’s products and services.

"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 Airlines is one of the enterprises of the Silk Way Group in the aviation and related services segment.

The carrier operates a fleet of seven Boeing aircraft, including 767-300 Freighters, 747-400 Freighters and 747-8 Freighters.

"The aircraft is claimed to offer 16% more revenue cargo volume than the 747-400."

The 747-8 Freighter is designed to offer lower operating costs and enhanced environmental performance to cargo operators, compared with other freighter aircraft, according to Boeing.

The aircraft is claimed to offer 16% more revenue cargo volume than the 747-400.

Launched in 2011, the 747-8 has so far logged 36 orders for both passenger and cargo versions.

Boeing has been struggling to receive new customers for the jumbo aircraft.

Consequently, the company is planning to cut production of 747 to 1.3 aircraft per month by September this year from the current 1.5 a month, reports Bloomberg.

Image: Boeing and Silk Way West Airlines are working to finalise the 747-8 Freighter deal. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.