Ariana Afghan Airlines Slashes Cargo Tariffs, But Sustainability Questions Loom

KABUL / NEW DELHI – Ariana Afghan Airlines has announced a dramatic reduction in cargo tariffs, slashing rates by up to 120% in a bid to revive Afghanistan’s trade with India. The new rates $1 per kilogram for exports to India and $0.80 per kilogram for imports come at a time when Pakistan has suspended land trade through Wagah, forcing Kabul to rely on air corridors. While exporters in Amritsar and Kabul welcome the move, questions remain over whether such special pricing is sustainable and practical for Afghanistan’s fragile economy.

Immediate Gains for Traders

The tariff cuts have been hailed as a lifeline for Afghan farmers and producers. High-value goods such as fresh and dried fruits, saffron, carpets, and gemstones can now reach Indian markets faster and at lower costs. Exporters in Amritsar see renewed viability, while Afghan officials report that total exports in September–October exceeded $274 million, up from $230 million in the previous period.

Bakht Rahman Sharafat, head of Ariana Afghan Airlines, confirmed that the directive came from the Economic Deputy Office of the Prime Minister, led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. “Before the border closures, Ariana was charging $2 per kilogram between Delhi and Kabul. Now, it has been instructed to reduce the rate to 80 cents per kg from Delhi to Kabul and $1 per kg from Kabul to Delhi,” he said.

Sustainability Concerns

Despite the immediate boost, the Ariana Afghan Airlines cargo tariffs raise serious questions about long-term sustainability. Air cargo remains one of the most expensive modes of transport compared to land or sea routes. Slashing rates by more than half may ease traders’ burdens temporarily, but it risks straining the airline’s finances and Afghanistan’s broader economic stability.

For a landlocked country, subsidizing air corridors indefinitely is difficult. Fuel costs, limited fleet capacity, and competition from established hubs like Dubai and Chabahar make global expansion under such pricing highly impractical. Analysts warn that while the cuts may win short-term goodwill, they could prove unsustainable without external subsidies or increased state support.

Practicality of Global Expansion

Officials have hinted at extending special cargo prices “to all over the world.” Yet Afghanistan’s infrastructure and airline capacity remain limited. Competing with regional re-export hubs is challenging:

• Pakistan–Afghanistan route: $1,500 per container, 3–5 days
• Iran–Chabahar port: $2,000, 10–15 days
• Northern corridors: $3,000, 20–30 days
• UAE hubs: $4,000, 15–25 days

Compared to these, air cargo is faster but far more costly to sustain. Announcing global special rates may be more symbolic than practical, given Afghanistan’s reliance on a single carrier and fragile logistics.

Regional Trade Dynamics

The Ariana Afghan Airlines cargo tariffs also highlight shifting regional trade patterns. With Pakistan’s Wagah border closed, India–Afghan air corridors are once again positioned as lifelines. Afghan chambers of commerce stress that air transport is vital for reaching distant markets in Europe and the US. Yet the reliance on air corridors underscores Afghanistan’s vulnerability to political shifts and regional instability.

Strategic Outlook

The tariff cuts by Ariana Afghan Airlines represent a bold attempt to support Afghan traders and maintain India–Afghanistan trade amid Pakistan’s border closure. However, the sustainability and practicality of announcing special cargo prices worldwide remain doubtful. For Afghanistan, the move offers short-term relief but risks long-term strain. For Pakistan, it reflects how border closures redirect trade flows, raising broader questions about regional economic stability and the future of South Asian connectivity.