Ariana cargo aircraft arrives in Kabul, boosting trade and exports

Ariana Afghan Airlines has taken a new step toward strengthening Afghanistan’s air cargo capacity with the arrival of a chartered Boeing 737-300 cargo aircraft at Kabul International Airport.

According to the airline, the aircraft has been allocated for the transportation of commercial goods, with a particular focus on the Kabul–Delhi route, a key corridor for Afghan exports.

The cargo plane is capable of carrying approximately 16.5 metric tons per flight and is operating under a six-month contract with a United Arab Emirates-based company.

Bakht-ul-Rahman Sharafat, head of Ariana Afghan Airlines, said the initiative forms part of the national carrier’s broader efforts to support Afghan traders and expand air transport services.

He noted that Ariana is continuing to develop its cargo network to strengthen the national economy, boost exports, and enhance Afghanistan’s overall air transport capacity.

Officials said the addition of the cargo aircraft is expected to play an important role in expanding trade ties between Afghanistan and India, speeding up export processes, and easing long-standing transportation challenges faced by local traders.

Ariana Afghan Airlines said the activation of the dedicated cargo service will allow exporters to send goods to international markets in a timely, secure, organized, fast, and cost-effective manner.

The airline reiterated its commitment to providing reliable, competitive, and high-quality air cargo services, emphasizing its aim to help position Afghanistan as an emerging regional hub for trade and transit.