Airlines in Afghanistan and Their Destinations

Air transportation plays a vital role in connecting Afghanistan with the rest of the world. Due to the country’s mountainous geography and long road journeys, air travel remains one of the safest and fastest ways for people and goods to move. Despite many challenges, Afghanistan’s aviation sector continues to operate and support domestic travel, international connections, and trade. This essay explores the civil aviation system of Afghanistan, its major airports, national airlines, domestic and international destinations, and the role of foreign airlines. It also highlights how air travel supports economic activity and global connectivity.

 

 

These flights are important for business travelers, religious pilgrims, tourists, and families. Let’s Go Afghanistan 

 

 

Overview of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation announced that all airports are now fully operational for domestic and international flights. Flights connect Afghanistan with countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkey, and Russia. The airports, now managed by GAAC Solutions from Abu Dhabi, are functioning normally, with airlines like Mahan, Qatar Airways, and PIA operating flights. After a 10-month suspension following the IEA takeover, all airports resumed daily flights. Air corridors for exporting Afghan goods, such as fruits and pine nuts, continue to operate, supporting trade (TKT, 2022).

 

 

Major Airports in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has several significant and international airports:

  • Kabul International Airport – the largest and main international hub.
  • Mazar-e-Sharif International Airport – in northern Afghanistan.
  • Kandahar International Airport – in southern Afghanistan.
  • Herat International Airport – in western part of Afghanistan.

 

 

Major Domestic Airlines

  1. Ariana Afghan Airlines

As Afghanistan’s national and oldest airline, Ariana Afghan Airlines (ARIANA) was established in 1955. Based at Kabul International Airport, its headquarters are in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district. The airline operates both domestic routes and international flights to several countries, including China, India, Russia, and Turkey (flyariana n.d).

 

  1. Kam Air

Kam Air, founded in 2003 by Zamarai Kamgar, holds the distinction of being Afghanistan’s first private commercial airline. Operating under AOC Nr. 001 from the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and identified by the codes KMF (ICAO) and RQ (IATA), it has grown to become the nation’s largest private airline. From its hub at Kabul International Airport, Kam Air’s fleet of 11 aircraft and workforce of over 800 people facilitates both extensive domestic networks and international routes across Central, South, and West Asia (Wikipedia n.d).

 

 

Domestic Destinations

Afghanistan’s domestic air network is limited but vital, connecting the capital, Kabul, with key provincial hubs. Primary routes link Kabul to Herat in the west, Mazar-e-Sharif in the north, and Kandahar in the south. These flights facilitate essential travel for government, business, and aid operations across the country’s challenging terrain, serving as crucial infrastructure where road journeys are long and perilous.

 

 

International Destinations of Afghanistan’s Airlines

Ariana Afghan Airlines connects Afghanistan with:

  • Dubai (UAE)
  • Ankara and Istanbul (Turkey)
  • Jeddah and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
  • Tehran and Mashhad (Iran)
  • Moscow (Russia)
  • Urumqi (China)
  • Delhi (India)

 

Ariana Afghan Airlines Fleet:

Ariana’s fleet blends Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The sturdy Airbus A310s and Boeing 737-400s connect Afghanistan to the world, serving as enduring symbols of national aviation.

 

 

Kam Air connects Afghanistan with:

  • Middle East: Abu Dhabi (UAE), Dubai (UAE), Jeddah and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait City (Kuwait)
  • Asia: Delhi (India), Islamabad (Pakistan), Tehran and Mashhad (Iran), Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
  • Europe: Istanbul (Turkey) 

 

Kam Air’s Fleet:

Kam Air’s diverse fleet combines the long-range Airbus A340 with Boeing 737 classics. These aircraft capably connect Kabul across the region, ensuring essential air links for Afghanistan.

 

 

Foreign Airlines That Fly To and From Afghanistan

In recent years, several foreign airlines resumed services to Afghanistan following the reopening of flight operations.

  • Flydubai (UAE) – resumed flights to Kabul.
  • Air Arabia (UAE) – relaunched flights to Kabul.
  • Turkish Airlines (Turkey) – operates flights to Kabul.
  • Mahan Air (Iran) – fly to Kabul.
  • Etihad Airways (UAE) – announced new flights to Kabul starting December 2025 (aerotime n.d).

 

Common International Routes

International flights from Afghanistan connect to:

  • United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)
  • Turkey (Istanbul, Ankara)
  • Iran (Tehran, Mashhad)
  • Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh)

These routes are important for business travelers, religious pilgrims, expatriates, and families.

 

 

Future Outlook

The aviation sector in Afghanistan may continue to grow if stability improves and more foreign airlines resume services. Better infrastructure and diplomatic agreements could lead to expanded flight options and stronger global links.

 

 

Conclusion

Airlines in Afghanistan play an essential role in maintaining national and international connectivity. Domestic airlines such as Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air provide important links between major cities and connect the country to key destinations abroad. The reopening of airports and the return of foreign airlines show gradual progress in the aviation sector. Air routes support trade, tourism, religious travel, and family connections. With improved stability, infrastructure development, and international cooperation, Afghanistan’s aviation industry has the potential to expand further and strengthen the country’s connection with the global community.

 

 

 

Reference

  1. https://thekabultimes.com/kia-open-for-all-domestic-international-flights/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kam_Air
  3. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aerotime.aero/articles/etihad-launch-abu-dhabi-kabul-flights-december-2025/amp
  4. https://www.flyariana.com/discover/aboutus

 

 

 

Let’s Go Afghanistan Team