Aviation
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danger in the air
Companies divert and suspend routes that pass through Afghan airspace; citizens try to flee the country
People trying to flee on Kabul Airport at 16/08/2021
Image: Twitter/Al Arabiya English
Rafael Ramos
8/16/2021
The rule of the Afghan government by the Taliban has caused airlines to divert or suspend routes that pass through the country's airspace, especially from Kabul, the country's capital.
The Afghan Civil Aviation Authority issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that Kabul's airspace had been cleared for the military.
“Advise transit aircraft to redirect. Any transit through Kabul airspace will be uncontrolled,” said NOTAM, which means that planes in the area will not be under air traffic control.
Another NOTAM reported that the civilian part of Hamid Karzai International Airport was closed until further notice.
Both notices are valid until August 18th, although this is an estimated date.
Another NOTAM also said that all aircraft must avoid the country's airspace, as there is no control in all operations in the country, so assistance in air traffic control cannot take place. However, repatriation flights are still taking place.
Airlines have announced suspensions and route changes, such as United Airlines: “Due to the dynamic nature of the situation, we have initiated affected flights around Afghanistan's airspace,” and “would continue to work closely with the FAA and IATA to assess the situation". Flights by the US-based airline to India will be affected.
Talibã
Image: Twitter/Al Arabiya English
Emirates also reported on its website that it has suspended round-trip flights to Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, due to the "developing situation" there.
The Lufthansa Group companies, including the Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA), Austrian, Brussels, Switzerland and Eurowings brands, would avoid flying over Afghanistan until further notice.
Other companies, such as FlyDubai and Air India, say they are following the situation. In the case of FlyDubai, operations were suspended in the region. Already Air India, said it is trying to operate regular flights to Afghanistan, depending on the situation.
After the announcements today, the runway at Kabul airport was filled with Afghans trying to leave the country hanging from planes. The US military has suspended its flights while people are being removed from the runways. According to Reuters, at least five people died trying desperately to leave the country on Monday.
It was not clear how the victims died. US officials said troops fired into the air in an attempt to fend off people trying to break into the military flight that would take US diplomats and embassy officials from the city of Kabul.
Another US official said the suspension of operations would last until the airfield is secure.
The situation in Kabul is reminiscent of the evacuation from Saigon, Vietnam, in April 1975.
Having to avoid Kabul airspace means that airlines will have to take longer routes than the original ones to reach their destinations safely, which translates into higher operating costs and more time.
In addition, companies and governments are negotiating to repatriate their citizens, such as Germany. France is also looking to repatriate its diplomatic personnel from the country.
See, on the external link below, the video where Afghan citizens fall from the US military plane in an attempt to escape the city this Monday.
People trying to flee on Kabul Airport at 15/08/2021
Image: Twitter
Hyperlinks:
https://twitter.com/AlArabiya_...
Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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