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Credibility Assessment
Cites Ariana Afghan Airlines president Bakhturrahman Sharafat and a directive from the Economic Deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office, with specific rates ($1/kg export, $0.80/kg import) and listed export items; reporting appears to rely on a single primary source without independent external confirmation.
Ariana Afghan Airlines has implemented a new set of reduced cargo tariffs intended to support Afghanistan’s trade sector. The changes were introduced on Sunday under a directive from the Economic Deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office and apply to both export and import air freight.
Bakhturrahman Sharafat, President of Ariana Afghan Airlines, said the revised pricing structure will make it easier and more affordable for Afghan traders to ship products abroad. He identified key export items expected to benefit as fresh and dried fruits, saffron, carpets, gemstones and other high-value goods, and said the changes would allow faster processing and lower transportation costs.
Under the new policy, Ariana will carry export goods at a fixed rate of $1 per kilogram, while the rate for imported goods is set at $0.80 per kilogram. Sharafat said the simplified and lowered tariffs would "strengthen Afghanistan’s economy and expand opportunities for Afghan producers in competitive global markets."
The announcement comes as Afghan exporters face regional transit restrictions, fluctuating overland shipping costs and limited access to international banking services. The airline and trade observers note that air freight has become an important alternative for perishable items and high-value products because it helps maintain quality and meet market deadlines.
Ariana aims to reduce logistical pressure on Afghan businesses and improve the reliability of export channels by cutting air cargo rates. Trade experts quoted in the report said the measure could help Afghanistan regain market share in destinations such as India, the Gulf states and parts of Europe, where demand for Afghan agricultural products and textiles remains strong.
The airline’s tariff changes were presented as part of its broader role in supporting national economic objectives. As one of the few carriers with capacity to connect Afghanistan to regional hubs, Ariana’s pricing reforms are framed as a step to expand export volumes and attract new trading partners, offering Afghan traders lower costs and more stable access to international markets.
