Commercial Flights To Afghanistan: Navigating The Skies In A Post-Conflict Zone

Commercial airlines do fly into Afghanistan, but the country's airspace has no ATC (air traffic control) service, and there are safety concerns about flying over the country. The FAA (US Federal Aviation Administration) has allowed high-altitude flights over Afghanistan, but many airlines are still hesitant to cross Afghan airspace due to the presence of surface-to-air weaponry and the risk of militant fire. Afghanistan's airspace is uncontrolled Class G airspace, and overflying traffic is advised to route around the country. However, some flights do pass through Afghanistan, particularly over the sparsely populated Wakhan Corridor in the east of the country.

The FAA has allowed high-altitude flights over Afghanistan, but airlines are still hesitant due to safety concerns

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has allowed high-altitude flights over Afghanistan, deeming operations above 32,000 feet (FL 320) safe. This decision was made following a comprehensive analysis of the security situation in the region and close coordination with relevant international agencies. The FAA's conclusion was that procedures implemented by the Taliban authorities have ensured the safety of US civil aviation operations within the Kabul Flight Information Region (FIR) (OAKX) at altitudes at and above FL 320.

However, despite the FAA's assurances, airlines remain hesitant to cross Afghan airspace due to safety concerns. Carriers want to err on the side of caution, especially regarding the presence of surface-to-air weaponry in Afghanistan. The OPS Group, an organization for the aviation industry, commented:

> "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."

Indeed, Afghanistan's airspace currently has no ATC service, and overflying traffic is advised to route around the country. The FAA maintains that flights below FL 320 can still be unsafe due to the potential risks posed by ground forces, and the US government has imposed a ban on US-based carriers from flying below this level in the Kabul FIR.

The relaxation of the rules on high-altitude flights provides advantages for airlines, including more optimal routes, reduced flight times, decreased fuel consumption, and an improved carbon footprint. However, due to safety concerns, it seems that flights between the US and Asia will continue to take longer for the time being.

There is no ATC service across Afghanistan's airspace, which poses a threat to aircraft and crew safety

Afghanistan's airspace is uncontrolled, with no Air Traffic Control (ATC) service across the country. This poses a significant threat to aircraft and crew safety. The country's airspace is designated as Class G, which means that it is uncontrolled and overflying traffic should route around it.

The primary risks to aircraft are direct and indirect fire targeting airports, as well as surface-to-air fire targeting aircraft operating at low altitudes. The presence of surface-to-air weaponry in Afghanistan is a major concern for airlines, despite the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) assurance that it does not pose a threat to high-altitude flights.

The FAA has recently relaxed rules to allow high-altitude flights over Afghanistan, deeming operations above 32,000 feet (FL320) safe. However, airlines are still hesitant to cross Afghan airspace due to safety concerns. The OPS Group, 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 lack of ATC services in Afghanistan has resulted in longer routes for flights between Asia, Europe, and North America, causing increased fuel consumption and operational costs for airlines. Afghanistan's position in Central Asia means it sits along the most direct routes for those travelling from India to Europe and North America.

Before the Taliban takeover in August 2021, overflights grew to over 100,000 annually. The government charged each flight a $700 fee for flying over the country, which could be a significant source of revenue. However, since the Taliban takeover, civil aviation has stopped as ground controllers no longer manage the airspace.

The Taliban is seeking to attract more international flight operations to revive the country's crippled economy. In September 2022, they signed a contract with an Abu Dhabi-based firm, GAAC Holding, to run three of Afghanistan's airports: Kabul Airport, Ahmad Shah Baba International Airport, and Khwaja Abdulla Ansari International Airport. This agreement is expected to bring back significant international carriers to Afghanistan and boost the country's aviation industry.

The primary risks are direct and indirect fire targeting airports and aircraft operating at low altitudes

The primary risks of direct and indirect fire targeting airports and aircraft operating at low altitudes are varied and numerous. The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 has resulted in a lack of ATC service across the country's airspace, which poses an extreme threat to aircraft and crew safety and security on the ground.

The presence of surface-to-air weaponry in Afghanistan is a significant concern for airlines, despite the FAA's assurance that it does not pose a threat to high-altitude flights. The OPS Group, an organisation for the aviation industry, has warned that there is "a seemingly endless list of surface-to-air weaponry they might start shooting at you if you fly too low".

In addition to the risk of militant fire, there is also the possibility of encountering anti-aircraft fire. Afghanistan has been awash in aircraft-targeting missiles since the 1980s, when the CIA armed mujahideen fighters to fight the Soviet Union. The country may also still have Soviet-era KS-19 anti-aircraft guns.

Furthermore, there is a risk of collision with other aircraft, particularly in congested areas near airports. Pilots should be vigilant and maintain extra caution when operating below 8,000 feet AGL and within 30 miles of an airport.

Other risks include obstructions to flight, such as power lines, antenna towers, and skeletal structures such as radio and television antenna towers. These obstructions may not be marked or lighted and can be difficult to see, especially at dusk or during periods of reduced visibility.

Overall, the combination of these factors makes operating at low altitudes near airports in Afghanistan extremely hazardous.

Airlines that previously operated flights to Afghanistan include Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Kam Air, and Air India

Commercial airlines do fly into Afghanistan, with flights to the capital, Kabul, mostly carrying aid workers and Afghans returning home or visiting family. However, there are no direct flights from the United States to Afghanistan.

The average non-stop flight from the US to Afghanistan takes 31 hours and covers a distance of 7,162 miles

The flight time from the US to Afghanistan varies depending on the departure airport in the US and the airport in Afghanistan. For example, the flight time from Boston to Kabul is 26 hours and 46 minutes, while the flight time from New York JFK to Kabul is 20 hours and 10 minutes. The flight time from Chicago O'Hare to Kabul is 27 hours and 23 minutes. The flight time from Boston to Kandahar is 29 hours and 19 minutes, while the flight time from New York JFK to Kandahar is 22 hours and 43 minutes.

The distance between the US and Afghanistan is approximately 7,300-7,400 miles. The flight duration and distance depend on factors such as the aircraft's speed, wind speed, and possible delays due to equipment or weather.

The cost of a one-way flight from the US to Afghanistan starts at $568, and the cheapest round-trip flight found in the last 72 hours was $941. The most popular route is from San Francisco to Kabul, with an average flight time of 23 hours and 25 minutes.

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