Ariana Afghan Airlines resumes domestic operations

Afghan carriers resume flights; foreign operators cautious

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has given Kam Air (RQ, Kabul) the greenlight to start commercial flights to Islamabad Quaid-e-Azam Int'l in Pakistan, local media have reported citing a PCAA document.

Following a letter from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Transport in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the PCAA decided to award the privately-owned Afghan carrier 3x weekly rights to the Pakistani capital gateway. Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows that as of September 22, Kam Air has already resumed operating the route on a scheduled basis using B737-300s.

Aside from Pakistan, Kam Air is currently running flights (both scheduled and charter) to Mazar i Sharif domestically, Tbilisi (Georgia), and Abu Dhabi Int'l. Both of Kam Air's A340-300s are also active on commercial flights into and out of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

State-owned Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG, Kabul) is also active with one B737-400 while sister carrier Bakhtar Afghan Airlines (BM, Kabul) is also using its sole B737-500.

On Sunday, September 26, the Afghan...

Pakistan's PIA resumes Kabul ops on a charter basis

PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Islamabad Quaid-e-Azam Int'l) has denied earlier reports that it has resumed scheduled flights to Kabul adding that it will serve the Afghan capital on charter basis, the first flight of which operated on Monday, September 13.

On September 11, spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan told the AFP news agency that the airline had already obtained all the necessary approvals for the launch of flights on September 13. However, a day later, he clarified that his statement was allegedly taken out of context. He underlined that there were still "a lot of factors" to consider before scheduled flights could restart.

"We had actually applied for charter flight permission to Kabul," he told Voice of America, clarifying that international institutions and organisations still present in Kabul were in contact with PIA concerning their needs for the evacuation of employees.

Khan added that even those charter flights still required further "agreements", which were not in place as of September 12.

Following the Taliban takeover of Kabul on August 15, the...

Taliban in talks to reopen Kabul airport

Turkey and Qatar are involved in talks over the provision of necessary services for the resumption of commercial flights at Kabul airport, which is currently uncontrolled and without functioning safety and security procedures.

Following the completion of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, a NOTAM was issued on August 30, declaring Kabul airport uncontrolled and lacking any airport services. Earlier, the entirety of Afghan airspace was rendered off-limits to civilian aircraft due to the lack of air traffic control, although some operations remained allowed with permission from NATO's ISAF force.

However, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told the France 2 broadcaster that the international community has been trying to secure a way to continue evacuations or travel in general onboard commercial flights.

"The Security Council resolution about securing the airport must be implemented. There are talks underway with the Qataris and Turks about the management of the airport. We must demand that access to the airport is safe," he said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid underlined in a statement to Al Jazeera that the group...

Editorial Comment: The article updates with reports of the Qatari C-17 arrival into Kabul - 02.09.2021 - 07:45 UTC

Afghanistan's Kam Air in talks with Taliban to restart ops