Navigating Afghanistan's Skies: The Complexities Of Aerial Access

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, airlines have been advised to avoid the country's airspace. The Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) released a notice to pilots stating that Kabul airspace had been released to the military and that any transit through it would be uncontrolled, meaning planes would not be guided from the ground. This has resulted in major airlines such as United Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa rerouting their flights to avoid Afghanistan altogether. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also imposed flight restrictions for U.S. airlines and operators, prohibiting flights below 26,000 feet in the Kabul Flight Information Region unless operating in and out of Hamid Karzai International Airport. The FAA cites the risk posed by extremist/militant activity and limited risk mitigation capabilities as reasons for these restrictions.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed flight restrictions over Afghanistan in July 2021

The restriction did not apply to US military operations or flights to and from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. However, for all other flights, the FAA advised that any transit through Kabul airspace would be uncontrolled, meaning planes would not be guided from the ground. This posed significant risks to aircraft and their crews, as they could be targeted by direct and indirect fire, including surface-to-air missiles.

The FAA's restriction was in line with warnings issued by other countries, including Canada, the UK, Germany, and France, which advised their airlines to maintain an altitude of at least 25,000 feet when flying over Afghanistan. These warnings took into account the potential risks posed by extremist and militant activity, as well as the limited capabilities to mitigate those risks.

The FAA's restriction had a significant impact on commercial flights to and from Afghanistan, as well as flights between Asia, Europe, and North America that typically used Afghan airspace. Many airlines rerouted their flights to avoid Afghan airspace entirely, resulting in longer routes and increased fuel consumption and operational costs.

In August 2023, the FAA loosened its flight restrictions, allowing US commercial aircraft to resume flights over Afghanistan above 32,000 feet. However, airlines remained hesitant to resume these flights due to ongoing safety concerns, particularly regarding the presence of surface-to-air weaponry. Despite the FAA's assurance that high-altitude flights were safe, carriers preferred to err on the side of caution.

The FAA prohibited US airlines from flying below 26,000 feet in Afghanistan

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prohibited US airlines from flying below 26,000 feet in Afghanistan. This restriction was put in place in July 2021, as US and coalition forces were withdrawing from the country. The FAA cited the risk posed by "extremist/militant activity" and limited risk mitigation capabilities as the reason for the restriction. The restriction applies to the Kabul Flight Information Region, which covers most of Afghanistan.

The FAA's restriction means that US civilian flights are banned from operating below 26,000 feet over Afghanistan. This includes US airlines and other US operators, as well as those holding US pilot certificates. However, the restriction does not apply to US military flights. The FAA's notice specifically states that the new restrictions are due to the risk posed by terrorist activity in the country.

In addition to the FAA's restriction, other countries have also advised their airlines to maintain an altitude of at least 25,000 feet over Afghanistan. These countries include Canada, the UK, Germany, and France. The Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) has also advised transit aircraft to reroute, as Kabul's airspace has been released to the military and any transit through it will be uncontrolled.

The situation in Afghanistan has had a significant impact on commercial flights to and from the country, as well as flights between Asia and Europe or North America. Many airlines have had to reroute their flights to avoid Afghan airspace, resulting in longer routes and increased fuel consumption and operational costs. Despite the FAA's recent decision to allow high-altitude flights over Afghanistan, many airlines are still hesitant to cross Afghan airspace due to safety concerns, particularly regarding the presence of surface-to-air weaponry.

Airlines fear Afghanistan's airspace due to two planes being shot down in recent years

Airlines have been hesitant to fly over Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the country in August 2021. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has allowed high-altitude flights over the country, deeming operations above 32,000 feet safe. However, airlines remain cautious due to safety concerns, particularly regarding the presence of surface-to-air weaponry and the lack of air traffic control (ATC) services.

The FAA's decision to relax flight restrictions over Afghanistan was met with caution by airlines. While the FAA assured that high-altitude flights were safe, carriers wanted to take a cautious approach due to the potential risks involved. OPS Group, an organization for the aviation industry, highlighted the concerns:

> "There's no ATC service across the entire country, there's a seemingly endless list of surface-to-air weaponry they might start shooting at you if you fly too low, and if you have to divert, then good luck with the Taliban."

Airlines fear that despite the FAA's assurances, the presence of surface-to-air missiles poses a significant threat. This fear is not unfounded, as two planes were shot down in recent years: a Malaysia Airlines plane over eastern Ukraine in 2014 and a Ukraine International Airlines jet by Iran's military in 2020. These incidents have heightened the awareness of airlines and governments regarding the risks of flying over conflict zones.

The absence of ATC services in Afghanistan further adds to the safety concerns. With no air traffic control, planes transiting through Kabul airspace are essentially on their own, as indicated by a notice from the Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA):

> "Kabul airspace has been released to the military. Advise transit aircraft to reroute... Any transit through Kabul airspace will be uncontrolled."

The combination of the potential threat from surface-to-air weaponry and the lack of ATC services has led to a situation where airlines are choosing to avoid Afghan airspace altogether. This decision comes with consequences, as flights between Asia, Europe, and North America are forced to take longer routes, resulting in increased fuel consumption and operational costs. Despite the challenges, airlines prioritize safety and are willing to incur these additional costs rather than risk flying over Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) advised transit aircraft to reroute

On Monday, 16 August 2021, the Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) advised transit aircraft to reroute in a notice to airmen on its website. The ACAA stated that Kabul airspace, which covers all of Afghanistan, had been released to the military and that any transit through it would be uncontrolled. This meant that planes would no longer be guided from the ground as they flew through the country's airspace.

The ACAA's announcement came amidst the Taliban's takeover of Kabul and the collapse of local security forces. The US and allied forces had pulled out of Afghanistan, and US forces took over air traffic control at Kabul airport. The situation on the ground was chaotic and dangerous, with reports of firing in the air and a stampede that resulted in five deaths.

The ACAA's notice had immediate effects, with some flights turning around right after the announcement. An Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi changed course and exited Afghanistan's airspace shortly after entering. A Terra Avia flight from Baku to Delhi did the same, later diverting to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates for refuelling.

The ACAA's warning also had broader implications for airlines and countries around the world. Analysts predicted that flights between Europe and parts of Asia would be among the most affected, adding to the challenges already faced due to Middle East conflicts and the closure of Belarusian airspace.

The withdrawal of air traffic control services also impacted insurance for airlines wanting to fly over Afghanistan. The risks of flying over volatile zones had gained more attention in recent years, particularly after two deadly incidents involving surface-to-air missiles: the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014 over eastern Ukraine, and the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 by Iran's military in 2020.

Several major airlines, including United Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Taiwan's China Airlines, Air France KLM, and Lufthansa, stopped using Afghanistan's airspace following the ACAA's announcement. These airlines had to adjust their routes and flight paths, leading to extended flight times and increased fuel costs for some destinations.

The US, France, Canada, UK, Germany, and Italy have issued warnings to their operators about flying over Afghanistan

US

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed new flight restrictions over Afghanistan for US airlines and operators. The FAA prohibits US airlines from flying over Afghanistan's airspace below 26,000 feet, which is usually lower than the cruising altitude for long-haul flights. The FAA cites the "risk posed by extremist/militant activity and limited risk mitigation capabilities" as the reason for the restriction.

France

The French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) has issued a warning to French operators, advising them not to overfly the OAKX/Kabul FIR below FL320. French operators are requested to maintain a flight level above or equal to FL320 in the airspace of Afghanistan.

Canada

Canadian operators have been recommended not to enter the airspace of Afghanistan, especially below FL320, due to the potential risk from extremist and militant activity and limited risk mitigation capabilities.

UK

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has advised UK operators not to enter the OAKX/Kabul FIR below 25,000ft above ground level (AGL) due to the potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry. UK operators are excluded from this recommendation if they are flying on airways P500 and G500 for transiting overflights.

Germany

German operators have been issued a Level 2 warning (medium) and are recommended not to enter the OAKX/Kabul FIR below FL330. German authorities cite the potential risk from terrorist attacks, anti-aviation weaponry, and missing civil-military air traffic coordination as reasons for the warning.

Italy

Italian operators have been advised not to enter the OAKX/Kabul FIR, except on airways P500 and G500. National air carriers and captains of aircraft in charge of air services managed by Italian-licensed carriers are requested to avoid Afghan FIR (OAKX) until further notice.

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