Ariana Afghan Airlines resumes domestic operations

Menzies Aviation awarded $26m over Afghanistan dispute

National Aviation Services (NAS) Afghanistan, part of Menzies Aviation group, has been awarded around USD26 million plus interest in a ruling at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Tribunal in London, following the government of Afghanistan’s “illegal termination” of its concession in 2020.

NAS had been providing ground services at Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat airports since 2013 through a contract awarded after an open tender process, the UK-based global ground handler said in a statement, explaining that “at all times NAS fulfilled its contractual obligations having invested more than USD7mn, bringing in state-of-the-art systems and equipment thus significantly raising the operating standards and service levels within each airport of operation.”

In October 2019, Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG, Kabul) and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation “without justification expropriated NAS’ operations” in the country and replaced it with a new operator, having made “totally unsubstantiated allegations” related to the Menzies Aviation subsidiary.

“They took active and hostile steps to force NAS to surrender its assets and personnel including the sudden imposition of...

Iran's Taban Air to resume A310 operations

Ariana Afghan Airlines tenders for six B737-800s

Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG, Kabul) has issued a request for proposals for the purchase of six B737-800s with bids due by 0000L (1930Z) July 29.

The tender is only open to aircraft owners, operators, leasing companies, resellers, sellers, seller agents and intermediaries/ brokers who have the legal right to sign a sales agreement.

In terms of aircraft, the state-owned airline is looking for B737-800s that are no older than 22 years of age and are powered by CFM International CFM56‐7B26 engines. The jets should also not be due for a C-check within the next six months or must have 1,000 hours remaining until its next C-check, which ever occurs first. Each engine should also have at least 3,000 flight cycles remaining while all three landing gears should have at least four years remaining until their next overhaul.

If a winner is chosen and final contract signed, handover should take place in either the UAE or Turkey.

Last week, Ariana also tendered for the purchase of a single B737-500 not older...

Ariana Afghan Airlines looks to buy three A330s

Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG, Kabul) is planning to buy three A330-200s including one dedicated freighter, tender documents for the Taliban-controlled national carrier have shown.

According to the terms of the RFP, Ariana wants:

• three A330-200s that are no older than 20 years of age and which must not be due for a C check within the next six months or else must have at least 1,000 flight hours remaining to their next C check (whichever occurs first);
• General Electric CF6-80E-powered jets whose engines have at least 3,000 flight cycles remaining;
• each aircraft's three landing gears should have at least four years remaining until their next overhaul.

No preference for cabin configuration was given with only a "standard" economy/business layout required.

Only offers submitted by aircraft owners / operators / leasing companies, resellers, sellers, selling agents and intermediaries / brokers who have the legal right to sign the final sales agreement will be considered.

Delivery of the aircraft will take place in either the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or...