International airlines to return to Afghanistan for the first time since 2021
Arabian low-cost airline Air Arabia has decided to resume flights from Kabul International Airport (KBL), Afghanistan, to its hub at Sharjah International Airport (SHJ). The first flights are scheduled for January 10 next year.
According to Simple Flying, the company's flights to Kabul have been suspended for two years due to regime changes in the Central Asian country. Air Arabia will not be the only company to return to Kabul.
According to the Afghan Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Kuwaiti low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways is also ready to send its first planes there in early 2024.
Dubai-based low-cost carrier FlyDubai became the first international carrier to start flying to Afghanistan in 2021. Prior to that, six international companies served the airport in the country's capital, but only three of them are expected to return.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Transportation is happy about this development. According to Imamuddin Ahmadi, a spokesman for the ministry, competition in the market will help reduce airfares, which will ultimately benefit Afghans.
Afghanistan also hopes that the return of large companies will give impetus to other carriers to consider resuming flights to the country. Perhaps even to other airports that are suitable for long-haul flights.