Cargo Carriers Have to Fly Long Distances

In the two months of this year, cargo carriers in Azerbaijan delivered 16 thousand tons of cargo to customers. This is 28% more than in the same period in 2014. At the same time the turnover of cargo airlines has increased by more than 2 times and totaled 70.6 million kilometers, the State Statistics Committee told Turan.

Last year, freight transportation by Azerbaijani companies declined slightly (-1.6%) and amounted to 123.8 thousand tons.

The State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan cannot provide information about the profitability of transport, as the national airline CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines conceals its financial data, justifying this with "structural reforms".

The major national freight forwarders are two companies (Silk Way West and Silk Way Airlines) of the holding Silk Way Group, which are engaged in transportation of goods outside of Azerbaijan. This holding company is positioned as a British business. However, the media have noted that the group of companies is owned by the family of the President of Azerbaijan.

This year, LLC Silk Way West has concluded a contract with Boeing on the purchase of three aircraft, 747-8 Freighter, valued at over $ 1.1 billion. -----08B