Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Ariana Afghan Airlines Posts Historic Results

Ariana Afghan  Airlines Posts Historic Results

KABUL - The national Ariana Afghan Airlines (AAA) on Wednesday posted the highest quarterly results in number of passengers, revenues and on-time performance in the international carrier’s 59-year history.

A statement by the AAA said that as comparing the first quarter operational results for 2014 to the same period last year, the figures note a 16 percent increase in revenues and a dramatic 29 percent jump in ticketed passengers.  During the same period, AAA improved on-time performance, fleet performance, maintenance schedules and overall passenger miles.

“These historic accomplishments are a direct result of Ariana’s commitment to creating the best airline in Afghanistan for all travelers,” said Dr. Mohammad Mustafa Mastoor, AAA Chairman and Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Finance, in the statement.

“In early 2013, with assistance from the US Department of Defense’s Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO), the airline management implemented a top-to-bottom business plan review of operations, customer service, maintenance, flight services, ground handling, fleet oversight and finance,” Mastoor said, adding that the results speak for themselves and he was proud to report that AAA was on its way to greater increases and better service for customers for years to come.

During the first quarter of 2014, AAA recorded no flight delays or cancellations of service as the carrier improved its customer service for almost one-third more passengers than the same period the prior year.  Recently, AAA completed all required maintenance of its fleet in accordance with international standards and practices.

Ariana currently serves nine domestic and international cities with a fleet of seven aircraft. In late May 2014, AAA will begin direct service to Frankfurt, Germany marking the first flight to the European Union for the carrier since 2011.

Recently, the Afghanistan Ministry of Defense (MOD) purchased two Boeing 727-200 aircraft from AAA in exchange for a management contract to oversee all MOD Boeing 727-200 flight and maintenance operations. Proceeds from this sale will be used for future aircraft purchases for AAA. (Pajhwok)