Commercial Flights To Afghanistan: Navigating The Complexities Of Travel

As of May 2024, it is possible to fly commercially to Afghanistan, but it is not recommended. The US Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and the US government is unable to provide any emergency consular services to US citizens in Afghanistan. The US Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Afghanistan, citing terrorism, the risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, and crime as reasons. The Taliban, which took control of the country in August 2021, poses a significant threat to aircraft and crew safety and security on the ground. There is no ATC service across the country's airspace, and an estimated 4,500 shoulder-launched anti-aircraft weapons are present in the country. Additionally, multiple terrorist groups are active in Afghanistan, and US citizens are targets of kidnapping and wrongful detentions.

Kabul International Airport (KBL) is the most popular airport in Afghanistan

Kabul International Airport (KBL) is the largest airport in Afghanistan. It is located in the northern part of Kabul, in the municipality of Khwaja Rawash, and is one of the country's main international airports. The airport is capable of housing over a hundred military and civilian aircraft. It is currently operated by UAE-based GAAC Holding and Afghanistan's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.

Kabul International Airport has two separate terminals, one for international passengers and the other for domestic flights. The airport also has a number of empty military bases previously used by the United States Armed Forces, NATO, and the Afghan Air Force. The airport serves as a hub for Ariana Airlines and Kam Air, with other international companies such as Air Arabia, Flydubai, and Turkish Airlines also providing passenger services.

Prior to the withdrawal of US-led forces in 2021, the airport provided scheduled flights to and from China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and the Persian Gulf region. The most frequently serviced destination from the airport has been Dubai in the UAE, with multiple passenger airlines flying this route and some offering multiple daily flights.

Kabul International Airport has two runways, each 3500m long, one concrete and the other asphalt. The airport has a capacity of 12 million passengers per year, with a new terminal under construction set to be completed in late 2019. This will make Kabul Airport one of the largest airports in Africa. The airport has become the hub of the national airline Air Afghanistan and Tassili Airlines, the second-largest Afghan company, also operates from here.

KBL is the most popular airport in Afghanistan, with 99% of all flight searches to the country being for this airport.

There are no direct flights from the US to Afghanistan

It is currently not possible to take a direct commercial flight from the US to Afghanistan. This is due to a number of factors, including safety concerns and the lack of air traffic control services in Afghanistan.

The US State Department advises US citizens not to travel to Afghanistan due to the risk of terrorism, wrongful detention, kidnapping, and crime. The Taliban, which took control of the country in August 2021, poses a significant threat to the safety and security of aircraft and crews operating in Afghanistan. There is also a risk of direct and indirect fire targeting airports and aircraft, particularly at low altitudes. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prohibited US air carriers and commercial operators from flying in Afghan airspace below 32,000 feet.

In addition to safety concerns, there is also a lack of air traffic control (ATC) services across Afghanistan. This means that there is no coordination between civil and military air traffic, which can lead to potential hazards for aircraft. The absence of ATC services can also make it difficult for pilots to navigate and ensure the safe separation of aircraft.

The absence of direct flights from the US to Afghanistan can cause significant inconveniences for travellers, including longer travel times and higher costs. Travellers may need to make multiple layovers in different cities before reaching their final destination. It is important for individuals planning to travel to Afghanistan to stay updated with the latest travel advisories and safety guidelines to ensure a safe journey.

Despite the challenges, some airlines do offer indirect flights to Afghanistan with layovers in other countries. However, it is important to carefully consider the risks and take necessary precautions before travelling to Afghanistan.

The US State Department advises against all travel to Afghanistan

The State Department warns that multiple terrorist groups are active in the country and that US citizens are targets for kidnapping and wrongful detention. The Taliban has been known to harass and detain aid and humanitarian workers, and foreigners may be viewed with suspicion. The risk of detention is high, even for those registered with the appropriate authorities to conduct business. The Taliban does not regularly permit the US to conduct welfare checks on detained US citizens, and those detained may face lengthy periods without access to medical attention and may be subject to physical abuse.

In addition to the security concerns, there is also a lack of basic infrastructure in Afghanistan. Services such as electricity and telephones are minimal, even in urban areas, and food and water shortages are common. The country's healthcare system is inadequate, with limited access to medical facilities and personnel. Prescription medications are not available, and medical evacuation can be prohibitively expensive.

The State Department urges US citizens in Afghanistan to depart immediately via commercial means if possible. Those seeking government assistance to depart should contact the State Department via email, providing complete biographic details, contact information, and passport information.

Afghanistan's airspace has no ATC service

Afghanistan's airspace has no air traffic control (ATC) service, which has resulted in an extreme threat to aircraft and crew safety and security on the ground. The Kabul Area Control Centre (ACC) was the only en route ACC in Afghanistan, providing en route and terminal control services to aircraft in the Kabul Flight Information Region (FIR). However, the ACC ceased operations on 16 August 2021 due to the deteriorating security situation, and civilian and military air traffic control responsibilities were handed over to the US Air Force.

The US military temporarily provided limited air traffic control services until their departure from Kabul on 30 August 2021. Since then, Afghanistan's airspace has been uncontrolled, with only a handful of flights operating out of Kabul International Airport. The absence of ATC services poses significant risks to aircraft, including direct and indirect fire targeting airports and surface-to-air fire targeting aircraft operating at low altitudes.

The FAA has issued warnings and recommendations for operators, advising them to avoid entering the OAKX/Kabul FIR below certain altitudes. For example, US operators are now permitted to overfly the OAKX/Kabul FIR at FL320 and above, while French operators should not overfly below FL320. German, Italian, Canadian, and UK operators have also received similar recommendations to avoid entering Afghan airspace below specific altitudes due to potential risks from terrorist attacks, anti-aircraft weaponry, and extremist and militant activity.

The lack of ATC services and the presence of surface-to-air weaponry in Afghanistan have raised safety concerns among airlines, causing them to avoid Afghan airspace despite the FAA's relaxed rules allowing high-altitude flights. This has resulted in longer routes and increased fuel consumption for flights between Asia, Europe, and North America.

The FAA has eased rules to allow commercial airlines to fly over Afghanistan

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has relaxed its rules to allow commercial airlines to fly over Afghanistan. The FAA now permits flights within the Afghanistan airspace at or above FL320 (32,000 ft) to be safe to pass through. This decision comes two years after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, which saw civil aviation come to a halt as ground controllers no longer managed the airspace.

Despite the FAA's assurance that flights above 32,000 feet are safe, airlines are still hesitant to cross Afghan airspace due to safety concerns. Carriers are worried about the presence of surface-to-air weaponry in Afghanistan and the lack of air traffic control services across the entire country. The OPSGroup, an organization for the aviation industry, commented on the issue:

> "There's no ATC [air traffic control] 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."

The FAA's decision allows airlines to save on fuel costs, which are a significant expense for carriers. However, given the safety concerns, it seems that flights between the US and Asia will continue to take longer for the time being.

Frequently asked questions