Following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Iranian airspace was closed. Airlines changed their routes via Afghanistan, the number of flights increased, and the country is generating transit revenue.
The closure of Iranian airspace after the US and Israeli attacks on Iran has caused international aviation routes to be reshaped. Airlines have started to prefer Afghan airspace in order to find safe routes.
The situation is being felt particularly heavily in Afghan airspace. The changes were implemented immediately after the attacks and the closure of Iranian airspace.
The Afghan Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation announced that the number of flights passing through the country’s airspace has increased. Ministry Spokesperson Hikmetullah Asifi stated that all domestic and international airports provide safe and quality service to airlines:
“We can say that there has been an increase in the number of flights. We guarantee airlines that they can prefer Afghan airspace and that better services are provided at all our airports.”
According to FlightRadar24 data, many aircraft prefer to fly via Afghanistan while avoiding Iranian airspace.
Former Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation Imam Muhammed Varıma stated that the use of Afghan airspace for civil flights is positive for the country both operationally and economically:
“The use of Afghan airspace by civil flights is an important step. As the number of flights increases, financial revenue will also increase. At the same time, it contributes to the development of the country’s technical and operational capacity.”
Economist Muhammed Asif Stanikzey also emphasized the contribution of transit flight revenues to the country’s economy.
Tensions in the Middle East and airspace closures continue to force airlines in the region to reorganize their flight plans.
