Azerbaijani cargo carrier Silk Way West Airlines has increased its freight offering from Budapest to markets across the Far East by deploying a Boeing 747-400F on both of its twice weekly flights between the Hungarian capital and its Baku hub.

The airline, part of the Silk Way Group, first introduced flights between Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku and Budapest in March 2014 but strong demand for goods in and out of the European market has seen it switch from the 53-tonne capacity 767-300F to the 113-tonne capacity 747-400Fs.

The 747-400Fs first started appear on the cargo airline’s schedules to Budapest during the second half of 2014, but now the route has been permanently upgauged to the larger freighter, contributing significantly to strengthening economic relations between Hungary and the Caspian republic.

Silk Way West has quickly established a foothold in the Hungarian market and offers onward transport connections from Baku to destinations in the far East, China, and from October 2014, South Korea.

“We are happy with our Budapest operation and will continuously focus on further improvements and expansion both on import and export side as well”, said Nidjat Babayev, vice president global sales, Europe and Asia, Silk Way West Airlines.

The carrier currently operates a fleet of three 747-400Fs and two larger 747-8Fs with a further three due for delivery by the end of next year. A next step for the carrier could be to upgauge the Budapest route further and deploy its more modern 747-8Fs or introduce additional frequencies. Alongside Budapest, Silk Way West also serves the European markets of Frankfurt Hahn, London Stansted and Milan Malpensa with regular scheduled flights.