SpiceJet will operate cargo flights between Delhi and Kabul having signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI).
The cargo services, operating under the SpiceXpress brand will transport fresh fruits and dry fruits, carpets and other commodities from Kabul to different states of India, subsidised by the Afghan government.
SpiceJet will transport the commodities from Kabul using its freighter aircraft to Indian metro cities and throughout India on its passenger network when operations start on 15 October, with the airline saying it plans to transport up to 1,500 tons of cargo a month under the MoU.
The MoU was signed by SpiceJet chief project officer, Manjiv Singh; ACCI chief executive director, Atiqullah Nusrat; and senior advisor of the president of Afghanistan in banking and financial affairs, Ajmal Ahmady.
SpiceXpress will start operations on 18 September, beginning with operations covering Delhi, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Hong Kong, Kabul and Amritsar.
The airline took delivery of its first Boeing 737-700 Freighter on 10 September, and SpiceJet is scheduled to take delivery of another three freighters in 2019.