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Ariana Afghan Airline is the national airlines of Afghanistan. The airline is based in Kabul and operates international and domestic passenger services. Two decades of civil war in Afghanistan seriously affected the business of Ariana Afghan airlines but with the return of peace to Afghanistan, the airlines’ business is once again looking up.
Ariana Afghan Airline was established in January 1955. An American commercial pilot established by relocating several war-surplus Dakota Aircrafts to Afghanistan. Realising the utility of air travel, the then Afghan government co-opted the airlines and christened it as "Ariana Afghan Airlines". The Shah of Afghanistan personally designed the logo for the new airline.
In 1957, Ariana was reincorporated as a limited Liability Company with 51% of the shares owned by various entitles of the Afghan Government, and the remaining 49% acquired by Pan American World Airways. In 1979 Ariana purchased a wide-body DC 10 to operate on its Asian and European routes. After some years of service, that aircraft was sold to make room for two Topolov TU 154 from Russia. In 1993, Ariana purchased three Boeing 727-200 from Air France. During the Taliban regime Ariana operated two Boeing 727-100 and one Boeing 727-200 for International routes, and five AN 24 for domestic routes.
After the return of peace to Afghanistan, Ariana’s business is well on its way to recovery. Its fleet has been expanded and its network is rapidly being extended. 3 Airbus A300B4, 2 Airbus A310-300, 1 Antonov An-12, 1 Antonov An-26, 3 Boeing 727-200, 1 DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300, and 1 Yakovlev Yak-40. In India, Ariana Afghan Airlines flies to Delhi and Amritsar.