KABUL (SW) – With reports highlighting the increasing use of Afghanistan’s airspace by major global airlines due to the unstable security situation in the Middle East, officials from the de-facto Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) say that at least 260 commercial flights are now operating over Afghanistan each day.
Imamuddin Ahmadi, spokesperson for the ministry, told Salam Watandar that this figure has risen from the previous average of 110 to 120 flights per day.
Ahmadi added: “The number of commercial flights using Afghanistan’s airspace has increased. Previously, there were 110 to 120 flights every 24 hours; now, there are 260 to 265 flights within 24 hours, operated by various airlines.”
This increase follows a Reuters report from Friday, which indicated that, due to worsening security conditions in the Middle East, particularly over Iran and Israel, airlines have turned to Afghanistan’s airspace as an alternative.
According to Reuters, the number of flights over Afghanistan in the second week of August, has surged more than sevenfold compared to the same period last year.
Experts view the rise in air traffic over Afghanistan as beneficial for the country and emphasize the need for further improvements and facilitation.
Aziz Stanekzai, an expert on security and political issues, remarks, “Passenger aircraft that previously passed through Middle Eastern airspace are now utilizing Afghanistan’s airspace. This is advantageous for the country as we collect transit fees from these flights.”
Air traffic significantly had decreased in 2021 following the return of the Islamic Emirate to power in Afghanistan and the challenges in controlling airspace.
