On April 12th, air cargo carrier Silk Way West Airlines announced that it would be opening a new route. The new route will connect the airline’s central hub at Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) with Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). This latest addition will enable the airline to better expand its global operations as it will not only give it another location to carry cargo to and from but also expand its operations across the American continent over the coming years.
Flying cargo to Texas
Silk Way West Airlines will launch this service later this week. It anticipates that it will be met by strong demand upon arriving at IAH. The airline knows that Houston has a strong economy and has quickly become one of the world’s most prominent players in air cargo. By opening this new route, the airline will expand its offerings substantially.
The airline has stated that the new route will help its customers stay connected to new markets, such as Central Asia and the Middle East. It will do so by giving its American customers an additional airport in the US they can ship through and its customers on the other side of the planet an airport one step closer to the product’s destination.
The Vice President of Commercial Operations of Silk Way West Airlines, Fadi Nahas, stated the following concerning the new route,
“We are thrilled to launch our new weekly flights to Houston, one of the most important cargo gateways in the United States, which will provide additional capacity and faster transit times for our customers.
“Our growing presence in the Americas demonstrates our commitment to providing reliable and efficient cargo solutions for our customers in this region. This new route will also enhance our ability to connect customers to key markets in Central Asia and the Middle East.”
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Well-received service
Representatives from IAH have shared excitement about the new route. While the new route will undoubtedly benefit Silk Way West Airlines and its customers, it will also benefit IAH and Houston’s economy. The city is an important hub in terms of modern energy and technology. Silk Way West Airlines specializes in refrigerated air transportation, which makes it ideal for transporting pharmaceuticals, pieces of advanced technology, medical equipment, and any other high-priority valuable item that needs to be moved.
The Chief Operating Officer for Houston Airports, Jim Szczesniak, shared the following in a recent statement from IAH,
“Houston is the Energy Capital of the World, home of the world’s largest medical center and a gateway to the South-Central region of the United States,
“New air cargo service isn’t only a nod to the world-class cargo facilities offered at Bush Airport, it’s confirmation that Houston is crucial for international trade. And because of that, Houston Airports will continue to maximize air freight operations while innovating unique strategies that continue to attract global airlines, like Silk Way West, to Houston.”
Changing fleet
As of this week, this newest route will be operated on one of the airline’s Boeing 747 Freighters. Since it was first started in 2012, Silk Way West Airlines has built a strong business around the Queen of the Skies. Today the airline operates a fleet of 12 aircraft, made up of 747-400Fs and 747-8Fs. Unfortunately for the airline, the 747s days are numbered. While it will likely remain in service around the globe for the next few decades, there will come a time when it will be phased out and replaced by younger, more efficient freighters.
To stay ahead of the game, Silk Ways West Airlines ordered five Boeing 777 freighters in 2021 and two 777X Freighters in 2022. It also opted to diversify its fleet by ordering two Airbus A350 Freighters last summer. While this new route will be operated on a Boeing 747, IAH may start seeing younger, more efficient freighters operating the route over the next several years.
What do you think of this new route? Let us know in the comments below.
