Kabul: The Taliban government has reached out to India seeking resumption of international flights to Afghanistan. The Afghan Civil Aviation Authority has written to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requesting permission for Afghan national carriers to restart flights between the two countries. As per reports, the letter was signed by Afghanistan’s acting Civil Aviation Minister Alhaj Hameedullah Akhunzada dated September 7th.
Addressed to DGCA Chief Arun Kumar, the letter read, “As you are well informed that recently the Kabul Airport was damaged and dysfunctional by American troops before their withdrawal. By technical assistance of our Qatar Brother, the Airport became operational once again and a NOTAM in this regard issued on September 6th 2021.”
Akhunzada said that this letter intends to keep the smooth passenger movement between the two countries based on the signed MoU. “Our National Carriers (Ariana Afghan Airline & Kam Air) aimed to commence their scheduled flights. Therefore, Afghanistan Civil aviation authority requests you to facilitate their commercial flights,” he added.
Foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said the suspension of international flights had left many Afghans stranded abroad and also prevented people from travelling for work or study. “As the problems at Kabul International Airport have been resolved and the airport is fully operational for domestic and international flights, the IEA assures all airlines of its full cooperation,” he mentioned.