** Update: 11/19/2021 @ 15:11 UTC - Article updated to include two 747-400Fs sub-leased and operated on behalf of Russian cargo carrier Sky Gates Airlines. **

Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement with Silk Way West Airlines to re-engine the airline's fleet of Boeing 747-400 freighters. Rolls-Royce will provide Azerbaijani cargo airline Silk Way with replacement engines for five of its Boeing 747-400Fs, supporting its freighter fleet with a minimum of 20,000 flight cycles of engine life for the next five years.

Silk Way 747-400F replacement engines

With this re-engine agreement, Rolls-Royce will support Silk Way's operations until 2026. Replacement engines afford Silk Way a cost-efficient means of maintaining operations without needing to invest in new aircraft.

Chris Cholerton, President Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace, said,

"We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Silk Way Airlines today. Utilising existing engines to provide them with a cost effective way of maintaining their fleet is an efficient and logical solution to supporting their operations until 2026. We look forward to continuing to work with them and building on our relationship with them as they grow in the future."

Partners since 2017

Rolls-Royce and Silk Way West Airlines have been partnered since 2017. Three of Silk Way's five 747-400Fs are currently equipped with Rolls-Royce engines, while its two remaining 747-400Fs (VP-BCR and VP-BCV) are fitted with Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines.

Additionally, the airline sub-leases another two 747-400Fs and operates them on behalf of Russian cargo carrier Sky Gates Airlines. Silk Way has not confirmed which five 747-400Fs are included in the agreement with Rolls-Royce, but it is likely to include the two sub-leased aircraft from Sky Gates Airlines.

Mr Zaur Akhundov, President of Silk Way Group, said,

"It is with great honor that we successfully continue our long-lasting cooperation with Rolls-Royce. Keeping a close relationship with one of our global partners is of strategic importance and we consider the signing of this agreement as a new phase in the history of our bilateral relations. Thanks to this agreement, Silk Way West Airlines will be able to successfully realize its business strategy regarding the planned fleet renewal."

Silk Way also has five Boeing 747-8Fs in its fleet. These aircraft are equipped with GEnx-2B67 engines and are not included in the re-engine agreement.

The carrier's fleet of 747-400Fs has an average age of almost 20 years, with four out of five planes delivered within the last three years.

Rejected takeoff in July

In July, one of Silk Way's 747-400Fs (VP-BCV) experienced a rejected takeoff at Hong Kong Airport en route to Baku, Azerbaijan. An engine surge forced the crew to perform emergency braking, causing 12 tires to deflate.

The plane was left stranded on the runway and the engine suffered severe damage. The affected aircraft was fitted with Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines.

Earlier this year, Silk Way agreed to purchase five 777 Freighters from Boeing. These long-range cargo aircraft will enable Silk Way to expand its global operations.

What do you think of this agreement between Rolls-Royce and Silk Way West Airlines? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.