Afghanistan’s state-owned carrier Ariana Afghan Airlines said it has purchased two aircraft engines from Turkey and Serbia and transported them to Kabul, as the airline seeks to maintain operations under international restrictions.
The airline said in a statement that the engines, valued at $4.7 million, were flown to Kabul on a cargo aircraft on Tuesday. The engines will be installed on Boeing 737 and Airbus A310 aircraft, it said.
Ariana Afghan Airlines said the installation would increase flight capacity and strengthen its domestic and international schedules.
Aviation experts say older aircraft face restrictions under international aviation regulations, limiting their ability to operate long-haul flights.
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, international sanctions and regulatory constraints have made it difficult for the airline to acquire aircraft parts and equipment.
Ariana Afghan Airlines continues to operate domestic and limited international flights, mainly to neighbouring and regional countries, but remains barred from flying to Europe and the United States.
