Airlines are increasing the number of flights over Afghanistan, saying it is less risky than flying over the Middle East, Reuters reported. There has been no air traffic control over Afghanistan since the Taliban took power three years ago.
Most airlines have stopped flying over Afghanistan in August 2021, when the Taliban took over the country and air traffic control was suspended.
Back to the routes over Afghanistan
After the attack Russia on Ukraine Western carriers also stopped flying over Russia and Ukraine, so most flights from Europe to South Asia were operated by Middle East. As tensions rise between Israel and Iran more and more airlines are returning to the route over Afghanistan, considering that despite the lack of traffic control, it is less risky than flying over the Middle East, Reuters reported. According to the agency, among the carriers that have recently increased flights over Afghanistan while reducing those over Iran and Israel are Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways and the Air France-KLM group.
Suspended flights from Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman
More than seven times as many commercial flights flew over Afghanistan in the second week of August as during the same period a year earlier, according to FlightRadar. Airlines began restricting flights over the Middle East in April after Israel attacked Damascus, killing several senior Iranian diplomats and prompting Iranian retaliation. A barrage of several hundred missiles was fired at Israel, most of which were shot down. In late July, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an attack in Tehran attributed to Israel. Iran has already vowed to retaliate. The Israeli military is on heightened alert, USA strengthened their forces in the region, while trying to defuse further tensions through diplomatic efforts. Many airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut and Amman.
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