Ariana Afghan Airlines has said it has launched a dedicated cargo charter service after a Boeing 737-300 aircraft arrived in Kabul to transport commercial goods to India.
The airline said the aircraft, configured for cargo operations, landed at Kabul’s international airport on Monday and will be used primarily to carry exports to Delhi. Each flight has a cargo capacity of about 16.5 tonnes.
Ariana said it has signed a six-month charter agreement for the aircraft with a United Arab Emirates-based contracting company, as part of efforts to expand its cargo network.
Ariana’s chief executive, Bakht-ur-Rahman Sharafat, said the move was aimed at meeting commitments made to domestic traders and boosting air cargo capacity.
He said the airline was working to expand exports, strengthen air transport links and support economic activity through improved cargo services.
The carrier said the new service would help facilitate trade between Afghanistan and India by reducing transport bottlenecks and allowing exporters to ship goods more quickly and securely to international markets.
Afghanistan’s air cargo sector has taken on increased importance in recent years as overland trade routes have faced repeated disruptions, particularly at border crossings with neighbouring countries.
India is one of Afghanistan’s key export destinations, with shipments including dried fruits, saffron and agricultural products.
