DUBAI: Air Arabia announced daily flights to Kabul on Wednesday, becoming the United Arab Emirates` second airline to serve the Afghan capital.

The Sharjah-based budget carrier will fly non-stop to and from Kabul once a day from Jan 10, it said in a statement.

The service is `a testament to our ongoing dedication to providing passengers with value-driven and affordable air travel, as well as new destinations to explore`, said group CEO Adel Al Ali.

Last month flydubai, another low-cost Emirati airline, became the first international carrier to resume flights to Afghanistan since the chaotic withdrawal of US forces in 2021.Kabul`s airport was trashed during the mass evacuation of civilians, and a suicide bombing on its perimeter killed more than 170 people, including 13 US troops.

The full operation of Kabul`s airport is seen as crucial to reviving Afghanistan`s shattered economy.

Apart from flydubai, Afghanistan`s Kam Air and Ariana Afghan Airlines currently operate limited services from Kabul to destinations, including Dubai, Moscow, Islamabad and Istanbul.

Last year, UAE-based company GAAC signed a contract to manage Afghanistan`s air traffic, an agreement that was expected to bring back international airlines.

-AFP