Safi Airways Set for Route Growth

Afghanistan carrier Safi Airways is expected to announce a new route into Asia in the coming days after recently welcoming another Airbus A320 into its fleet. The aircraft, configured with 12 Business Class and 132 Economy seats, will initially be used to boost capacity on flights between Kabul and Dubai.

However, the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Michael McTighe, has confirmed the new arrival will “boost Safi Airways’ plans to develop new routes in the GCC and expand further into Asia”. It is understood that the airline will reveal its latest new route later this week.

“We want to enhance the flying experience and make it as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for our valued customers”, said Ghulam Safi, Founder, Safi Airways. “This is just another step in our on-going efforts to constantly upgrade our service in our relentless pursuit to expand Afghanistan’s leading airline."

Alongside its twice daily Kabul - Dubai route, Safi Airways currently offers a four times weekly service from the Afghan capital to Delhi. It had previously also operated flights to Europe, but it was forced to suspend its services after the European Union added it to its operational blacklist due to safety issues.

The airline is currently the third largest operator in Afghanistan with a 16.9 per cent share of the estimated 1.3 million O&D passengers that to or from the country in the past year. RQ dominates this sector with a 26.9 per cent share of the traffic, followed by Ariana Afghan Airlines with an 18.0 per cent share.