Silk Way West Airlines Adds Second Weekly Freighter at Houston

Silk Way West Airlines has added a second weekly Boeing 747-8F freighter flight at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, increasing widebody cargo throughput and placing added emphasis on ground handling capacity, specialized equipment, and efficient cargo flows at the terminal level.

The new frequency began operating Jan. 10, 2026, providing nonstop service between Houston and Baku, Azerbaijan. It builds on the carrier’s existing once-weekly operation at IAH and reflects sustained demand for long-haul freighter service linking the U.S. energy and industrial hub with markets across Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

For ground handlers and cargo operations teams, the added 747-8F rotation represents another full widebody freighter turn to be supported each week, requiring coordinated ramp activity, high-capacity main-deck loaders, capable tow tractors, and sufficient staffing to maintain safe and reliable operations.

“This expanded service is a direct result of Houston’s strength as a global cargo hub and the reliability of operations at Bush Airport,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “As global trade demands evolve, Houston is well positioned to support additional capacity and nonstop connections that move critical goods efficiently and safely.”

The expanded service supports the movement of high-demand cargo, including energy sector equipment, medical supplies, high-tech hardware, perishables, and industrial goods. These commodities often require specialized handling processes, time-sensitive coordination, and reliable ground equipment availability.

Silk Way West Airlines launched service at IAH in spring 2023 as a new entrant cargo carrier, initially operating a once-weekly freighter flight to Baku with a commercial stop in Chicago. The routing was later adjusted to include Frankfurt-Hahn. The newly added second frequency now operates nonstop between Houston and Baku, simplifying cargo flows and reducing ground handling complexity along the route.

“Adding a second frequency at Houston signals the growing demand we are seeing in the U.S. energy and industrial hub,” said Fadi Nahas, vice president, Americas, for Silk Way West Airlines. “More frequencies provide greater flexibility and reliability for our customers, and this expansion reflects our commitment to improved service and a stronger global reach.”

Silk Way West Airlines operates hundreds of cargo flights each month using a fleet of Boeing 747-8F and 747-400F aircraft based at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. Founded in 2012, the carrier serves major cargo markets across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas, and has announced plans to expand its long-haul freighter fleet later this decade.

The service expansion comes as air cargo activity at IAH continues to grow. Air cargo generates an estimated $13.8 billion annually for the Houston region, and Houston Airports expects to handle approximately 565,000 metric tons of cargo in 2025, underscoring the continued importance of ground support readiness as freighter volumes increase.