Afghanistan Seeks to Expand Air Corridors to Boost Exports

DID Press: Afghanistan is seeking to expand its air cargo corridors to strengthen exports and sustain international trade as disruptions to overland transport routes continue to challenge the country’s commerce, Taliban officials said.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said Afghanistan currently operates active air corridors with China, India, and the United Arab Emirates, while additional routes are being considered to facilitate exports and improve trade connectivity.

Hekmatullah Asifi, spokesperson for the ministry, said regular flights from Afghanistan’s international airports currently connect the country with 30 destinations, serving both passenger travel and the transportation of commercial goods.

Asifi said the ministry is working to expand the country’s air freight capacity to create greater opportunities for trade and exports.

Economic analysts say expanding air cargo corridors has become increasingly important as land transport routes face mounting challenges. Azarakhsh Hafizi, former head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said increasing air cargo capacity is essential under current conditions and called on private companies to invest alongside the government in the sector.

The initiative comes as Afghanistan’s trade with Pakistan remains suspended, while alternative transit routes through Chabahar and Bandar Abbas have also experienced disruptions, increasing the strategic importance of air corridors for maintaining the country’s exports and imports.