Ariana Afghan Airlines resumes Kabul-Urumqi flights

KABUL, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan national flag carrier Ariana Afghan Airlines formally resumed its passenger air services between Afghanistan's capital city Kabul and neighboring China's Urumqi city on Wednesday.

The air route has halted for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ariana Afghan Airlines is currently the only operator of direct passenger flights between the two countries, according to the airlines.

The Afghan airlines operates once in a week on Wednesday and returns to Kabul on the same day.

Ghulam Jilani Wafa, the deputy for the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, welcomed the resumed flights and said the air operations would have direct impact on enhancing trade and economic relations between the two nations.