FLEET - Ariana Afghan Airlines is mulling the purchase of A330-200 and B737-800s

Image: Ariana
 

NEW AIRCRAFT - Ariana Afghan Airlines retenders for two B737-800s

Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG, Kabul) is seeking to purchase two passenger-configured B737-800s. The state-owned airline recently released a request for proposals (RFP) and will accept bids up to and including March 4, 2023.

The procurement process, which will operate according to single stage one envelope protocols, is open to airlines, lessors, and other entities who have the legal right to sign the sale documentation. While Ariana is seeking two aircraft, it will award contracts on a per aircraft basis "based on the lowest and technically responsive evaluated bid."

The airline will not consider aircraft older than 22 years regardless of its condition. The planes need to be fitted with CFM International 56-7B26 engines with at least 3,000 flight cycles remaining. Each plane should not be due for its C-check within six months or 1,000 flight hours (whichever occurs first), and all three sets of landing should have at least four years remaining before their next overhaul.

The Afghani flag carrier presently operates a fleet of four aircraft, including one A310-300, two B737-400s, and one inactive B737-500. The airline flies to Dubai International, Herat, Islamabad International, Jeddah, Kandahar, Mashad, Mazar i Sharif, and Moscow Sheremetyevo. Ariana Afghan Airlines is owned by the Pashtany Bank, an entity owned by Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. All payments, to be made in US dollars, will be processed through escrow accounts held in the UAE or Turkey. Delivery of the aircraft, which should take place within 60 days of signing the contract, will also be to either the UAE or Turkey.

This RFP is the third issued by Ariana in 12 months and appears to be a revision of a July 2022 solicitation for six B737-800s which had similar terms and conditions. In June 2022, the Taliban-controlled carrier released an RFP for the supply of three A330-200s, including one dedicated freighter.
According to the latest RFP, the aircraft should arrive in an combined economy/business class configuration. "Seats, galleys and lavatories shall be clean, serviceable and in good working condition," the bidding documentation says. Final acceptance will be contingent on the satisfactory completion of an acceptance flight based on the manufacturer’s acceptance flight profile for the aircraft type. Bids are due by 0000L (1930Z) on March 4.

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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 than 25 years of age and powered by CFM56-3C1 engines. While this does align with Chairman Mohammad Nader Omar's recent comments to that effect, it also suggests that plans to acquire B737-500 msn 27634 from Nevada-based CSDS Asset Management have now fallen through. According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, the ex-Belavia (B2, Minsk National) jet is still on the US register as N7353C and is still parked at Marana.

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Ariana Afghanistan eyes ATRs, Boeings for fleet renewal

Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG, Kabul) has outlined plans to renew and replace its fleet that currently comprises two A310-300s and three B737-400s.
Airline personnel told CAPA the state-owned carrier plans to acquire three B737-800s, two B767-200s and two ATR42s by the end of 2019. The aircraft are to be sourced from the second-hand market.
It is hoped the first Avions de Transport Régional turboprop and B737-800 will arrive by the end of 2017.
As such, though the incoming fleet will be used to gradually replace its current jets, Ariana plans to retain the B737-400s for another two years. The aircraft recently completed C checks and thus have another two years of life on the clock. However, with the arrival of the -800s, the older -400s will be gradually weaned off international flights in favour of domestic Afghan services. There they will compliment the ATR42s which will be used to develop services to secondary Afghan towns and cities.
The widebody B767s will be used to replace the A310s.

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