Azerbaijan’s Silk Way West Airlines has increased an existing order with Airbus to four A350F freighters at Dubai Airshow 2025.
On November 19, 2025, Silk Way West Airlines and Airbus announced a firm contract for an additional two A350F freighter aircraft had been signed.
Silk Way West Airlines ordered two Airbus A350Fs in 2022 with an option for two further aircraft. Delivery of the first A350Fs was planned over 2027-2028.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Airbus on the A350F programme,” said Wolfgang Meier, President of Silk Way West Airlines. “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.”
Founded in 2012, Silk Way West Airlines operates an active fleet of 12 aircraft including five Boeing 747-8Fs, four B747-400FSCD and three 777-200Fs, according to ch-aviation.
When the A350Fs are delivered, it will be the first time that Silk Way West Airlines has operated an Airbus fleet.
“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.
On November 14, 2025, Air China Cargo, a subsidiary of Air China, signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for six A350F freighters.
Once certified, the A350F is poised to carry up to 111 tons and cover a range of 8,700 km powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.
Latest estimates from Airbus indicate that the A350F will enter service in 2027. Initially, the company had hoped that the aircraft would be ready for customers as early as 2025.
According to Airbus, at the end of October 2025 it had 1,445 orders for the A350 family aircraft from 63 customers worldwide, including 74 for the A350F from 12 customers.
Among the companies that have placed A350F orders are lessor AviLease, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Starlux.
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