Ariana Afghan adds Boeing 737 freighter for cargo operations

A Boeing 737-300 freighter operated by Ariana Afghan Airlines arrived at Kabul International Airport today.

According to the airline, the aircraft will be used to carry commercial goods on international routes, with a cargo capacity of around 17 metric tonnes per flight.

Ariana said it has signed a one-year agreement with UAE-based Air Charter Express to operate the freighter.

According to flight data, the aircraft arrived in Kabul from Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, this morning.

Bakht-ur-Rahman Sharafat, Head of Ariana Afghan Airlines, said the airline is working to expand its air cargo network, increase Afghan exports and strengthen the country’s air transport capacity, reported Ariana News.

He said the new cargo service will allow Afghan traders to transport their products to international markets more quickly and safely, while offering competitive rates.

Ariana said it aims to provide reliable and competitive air cargo services while improving Afghanistan’s connectivity with regional and international markets.

Ariana Afghan Airlines currently has a fleet of six aircraft, of which three are in service and three are parked, according to data from Planespotters.net. The airline has two Airbus A310s in service, while one A310 is parked. It also has one Boeing 737 in service, with two additional Boeing 737s parked.

Notably, in January 2026, the airline said it had launched a dedicated cargo charter service following the arrival of a Boeing 737-300 freighter in Kabul to transport commercial goods to India.

The airline said it had signed a six-month charter agreement for the aircraft with a UAE-based contracting company as part of efforts to expand its cargo network.

The carrier said the new service would help facilitate trade between Afghanistan and India by easing transport bottlenecks and enabling exporters to move goods to international markets more quickly and securely. India remains one of Afghanistan’s key export markets, with shipments including dried fruits, saffron and other agricultural products.