The Uncertain Future Of Air Travel To Afghanistan

In 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, including Kabul's airport. This led to the Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) declaring the country's airspace uncontrolled and releasing it to the military. As a result, commercial flights to and from Afghanistan were cancelled, and airlines were advised to reroute their flights to avoid Afghan airspace. This caused significant disruptions to international air travel, with flights between various regions, such as India and Europe, having to take longer alternate routes, resulting in increased flight times and fuel costs. The situation also prompted several countries to evacuate their citizens from Afghanistan.

Kabul Airport closed to civilian air traffic

On 16 August 2021, the US Deputy Security Advisor announced the deployment of more forces to secure Kabul International Airport. The Pentagon confirmed the head of US Central Command, General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., met with Taliban leaders in Qatar, who agreed to terms for refugees to flee using the airport.

Following the fall of Kabul, the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police abandoned their posts, leaving US and allied forces to take over. On the same day, all commercial flights from Kabul Airport were cancelled indefinitely.

The civilian side of the airport was closed until further notice, with the Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) advising all transit aircraft to reroute. The ACAA added that Kabul's airspace had been released to the military and that any transit through it would be uncontrolled.

The closure of the airport threw schedules for the few remaining airlines operating flights to Afghanistan into disarray. Air India, Emirates, FlyDubai, Pakistan International Airlines, and Turkish Airlines were among those affected.

The airport's history reflects Afghanistan's troubled modern times. Built by Soviet engineers in 1960, it became a key military base for Moscow during the Soviet-Afghan War from 1979 to 1989. It suffered damage during the intra-Afghan war that followed and became a target for airstrikes in the US-led invasion in 2001.

The airport is located at a high altitude, surrounded by the mountains of the Hindu Kush. It serves as a hub for Ariana Airlines and Kam Air, with international companies such as FlyDubai and Air Arabia also providing passenger services.

Until the situation in Afghanistan stabilises, the airspace is likely to remain closed to civilian air traffic. Once a new government begins air traffic services and the airspace is deemed safe, commercial flights may be able to return.

Airlines advised to avoid Afghanistan's air corridors

On Monday, 16 August 2021, Afghanistan's aviation authority, the Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA), issued a notice to pilots advising airlines to avoid the country's air corridors. The ACAA stated that the country's airspace had been "released to the military" and that any transit through Kabul airspace would be uncontrolled. This prompted major airlines to divert flights in the wake of the Taliban's takeover of Kabul.

The impact on airlines

The diversion of flights had several implications for airlines:

• Increased flight times and fuel costs: Analysts stated that flights between Europe and parts of Asia would be among the most affected, resulting in longer routes and higher fuel consumption and operational costs.
• Insurance implications: The withdrawal of air traffic control services made it challenging for airlines to obtain insurance to fly over Afghan territory.
• Safety concerns: Airlines and governments were already wary of flying over volatile zones due to two deadly incidents involving surface-to-air missiles in recent years.

The US Federal Aviation Administration's role

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed flight restrictions over Afghanistan for US airlines and operators in July 2021. These restrictions prohibited flights operating below 26,000 feet in the Kabul Flight Information Region, which covers most of Afghanistan. However, the FAA relaxed these rules in July 2023, allowing high-altitude flights above 32,000 feet over Afghanistan. Despite this, many airlines remain hesitant to cross Afghan airspace due to safety concerns, particularly regarding the presence of surface-to-air weaponry.

Air India flights affected by the closure

Air India was forced to cancel its Delhi-Kabul-Delhi flight, which was scheduled to operate on Monday, August 16, 2021, due to the closure of Afghanistan's airspace. The airline had to reschedule its flight from Delhi to Kabul to Delhi, but later confirmed the cancellation, stating that the closure of Afghan airspace meant flights could not operate.

Air India's Chicago-Delhi flight was also impacted by the situation. The flight was diverted to the Gulf airspace, specifically Sharjah in the UAE, to avoid Afghanistan's airspace and refuel before continuing its journey to Delhi.

The Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) declaring the Kabul airspace "uncontrolled" and advising all commercial aircraft to reroute. The closure of Afghanistan's airspace has had a significant impact on Air India's operations, leaving several Indians waiting to return home stranded in Kabul and causing delays and longer routes for flights between India and the West.

US military controllers managing evacuation flights

The evacuation effort, known as Operation Allies Refuge, involved the US Air Force, Air Mobility Command, and other branches of the military. The goal was to evacuate US citizens and at-risk Afghans from Kabul International Airport, which was secured by US troops. The operation was one of the largest air evacuations of civilians in American history, with approximately 124,000 people airlifted from Kabul in August 2021.

US military controllers faced several difficulties during the evacuation. The Taliban's swift takeover of the country and the collapse of local security forces led to a lack of control at the airport, with thousands of desperate civilians swarming the tarmac and attempting to board planes. This resulted in chaotic scenes, with US soldiers firing into the air to disperse the crowds. The situation was further complicated by reports of sniper fire and the presence of Taliban fighters in the area.

The US military controllers had to coordinate with other nations' militaries and civilian airlines to manage the evacuation flights safely. Commercial airlines were enlisted to help transport evacuees from temporary locations after landing from Afghanistan. These airlines included United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and others, mirroring a similar effort during the Iraq War in 2003.

The evacuation flights also faced challenges due to the closure of Afghan airspace to commercial flights. The Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority advised airlines to reroute and avoid Afghan airspace, leading to longer flight times and increased fuel costs for airlines. This situation was further exacerbated by the limited number of aircraft available for the evacuation.

Despite these challenges, the US military controllers, in coordination with their counterparts from other nations, successfully evacuated thousands of people from Afghanistan. The evacuation effort involved complex planning, command, and control procedures to ensure the safe departure of evacuees. The controllers had to make quick decisions regarding aircraft assignment, medical escort allocation, and destination selection, all while managing the dynamic and unpredictable situation on the ground.

Overall, the US military controllers played a crucial role in managing the evacuation flights during the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Their efforts, along with those of their fellow service members and international partners, helped save the lives of countless individuals seeking to flee the country.

Civilian flights that normally overfly Afghanistan are being rerouted

The Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) on 16 August 2021, stating that the Kabul airspace had been released to the military and advising all aircraft transiting through to reroute. This notice was issued after the Taliban took control of Kabul and its airport, with the ACAA declaring the airspace uncontrolled.

In response to the ACAA's notice, several airlines, including Air India, United Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Taiwan's China Airlines, Air France KLM, and Lufthansa, rerouted their flights to avoid Afghanistan's airspace. Some flights, such as Air India's Chicago-Delhi route, had to make unscheduled refuelling stops before continuing their journey.

The rerouting of flights led to longer flight durations and increased fuel costs for airlines. Routes affected included those between India and Europe, Indonesia and Europe, the Middle East and China, Australia and Russia, and Southeast Asia and Europe.

The decision to reroute was influenced by safety concerns, as airlines and governments have become more cautious about flying over conflict zones after two incidents involving surface-to-air missiles in recent years. In 2014, a Malaysia Airlines plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine, and in 2020, a Ukraine International Airlines jet was downed by Iran's military, resulting in the deaths of all passengers and crew.

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