After the Taliban captured Kabul in August 2021, commercial air travel suffered a significant blow due to the inability of ground controllers to oversee the airspace. Worries regarding flight safety prompted global authorities to reroute commercial planes away from Afghan skies. As a reaction to these difficulties, airlines have adjusted their flight routes to bypass Afghanistan, causing longer travel durations and higher fuel usage.
#Afghanistan #Taliban #Airspace
~HT.98~PR.152~ED.102~
#Afghanistan #Taliban #Airspace
~HT.98~PR.152~ED.102~
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban two years ago, nothing has remained the same.
00:06 From the societal norms to the security aspect, everything has undergone sea changes.
00:11 Recently, the risks associated with flying over Afghanistan have been brought to the
00:16 forefront.
00:17 The United States has recently taken steps to ease regulations potentially permitting
00:22 commercial airlines to utilize shorter flight routes over Afghanistan which could result
00:28 in reduced travel time and fuel consumption for east-west travel.
00:37 The challenge of managing the risks of flying over a region with uncontrolled airspace where
00:43 a significant number of shoulder-launched anti-aircraft weapons remain cannot be overlooked.
00:50 Moreover, the potential complications arising from emergency landings in such a region require
00:56 careful consideration.
00:59 The aviation industry, represented by the OPS Group, has expressed a clear stance on
01:04 this matter.
01:05 No one, no one wants to fly over Afghanistan.
01:10 The absence of air traffic control services throughout Afghanistan coupled with the presence
01:14 of numerous surface-to-air weaponry that could pose threats to aircraft creates a highly
01:19 unfavorable environment for safe flight operations.
01:22 Nevertheless, the resumption of overflights could have substantial implications for airlines.
01:28 Despite being landlocked, Afghanistan's strategic location along the most direct routes between
01:34 India and Europe and America makes it a crucial passageway for international travel.
01:39 However, following the Taliban's seizure of Kabul in August 2021, commercial aviation
01:44 was severely impacted as ground controllers could no longer manage the airspace.
01:50 Concerns about the safety of flights led to international authorities redirecting commercial
01:54 airlines away from Afghanistan airspace.
01:58 In response to these challenges, airlines have altered their flight paths to circumvent
02:03 Afghanistan resulting in increased flight times and fuel consumption.
02:08 The US Federal Aviation Administration's decision in July to potentially allow flights
02:13 above 32,000 feet to resume signifies a significant shift in this situation.
02:19 For now, apart from Afghan and Iranian carriers, most airlines appear hesitant to take the
02:25 risk of flying over Afghanistan.
02:28 The country's history of anti-aircraft missile proliferation dating back to the Soviet-Afghan
02:33 conflict in the 1980s contributes to this apprehension.
02:37 While the US aviation body asserts that altitudes above 32,000 feet may be safe from such weaponry,
02:44 concerns persist among industry experts.
02:47 While the idea of flying over Afghanistan could offer benefits in terms of efficiency
02:51 and reduced costs, the prevailing uncertainties and safety concerns associated with the region
02:58 make it a complex proposition.
03:00 As geopolitical dynamics evolve, the decision to resume overflights remains a delicate balance
03:06 between potential gains and significant risks.
03:14 [MUSIC]