Dubai: In the wake of the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan, the United States has initiated a relaxation of regulations, potentially permitting commercial airlines to fly over the conflict-ridden nation, resulting in shorter routes and reduced fuel consumption for transcontinental travel. However, this tactical adjustment rekindles unresolved ethical quandaries from the Taliban's previous rule in the 1990s to the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The conundrum is stark: How does one engage with the Taliban, who have historically oppressed women, curtailed education and employment opportunities, and enacted policies tantamount to "gender apartheid," as cited by United Nations experts? Additionally, airlines must grapple with the peril of navigating uncontrolled airspace above a country harboring an estimated 4,500 shoulder-launched anti-aircraft weapons. The looming question of emergency landings further amplifies concerns.
Yet, despite the potential benefits of reestablishing overflight routes, skepticism abounds. The OPSGroup, a prominent aviation industry organization, has succinctly captured the industry sentiment: "No one!" Their advisory highlights the absence of air traffic control, the specter of various surface-to-air weaponry, and the unpredictable nature of interactions with the Taliban.
Also Read: Introducing X's Innovative "Highlights" Tab: Elevating Your Profile Like Never Before
The significance of resumed overflights is not lost on carriers. Afghanistan's central Asian position renders it a strategic crossroads for India-to-Europe and India-to-America routes. Following the Taliban's 2021 takeover of Kabul, global civil aviation ground to a halt, as the loss of ground controllers rendered airspace management impossible. Apprehensions about anti-aircraft threats, exacerbated by incidents like the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine, prompted a worldwide withdrawal of commercial flights.
Subsequently, airlines adopted lengthy detours, circumventing Afghan borders. Routes extended southward over Iran and Pakistan, or briefly coursed through Afghan skies within the isolated Wakhan Corridor, nestled between Tajikistan and Pakistan. However, these alternatives translated to extended flight times, intensifying jet fuel consumption, a formidable financial burden.
The US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) late July decision drew industry attention, signaling that flights above 32,000 feet (9,750 meters) "may resume due to diminished risks to US civil aviation operations at those altitudes." Yet, the FAA redirected inquiries about the decision's motivation to the State Department, which remained tight-lipped. Nevertheless, discreet diplomatic engagements between a State Department envoy and Taliban officials post-US withdrawal have taken place.
Also Read: US Urges Iran to Cease Drone Sales to Russia Amid Concerns for Ukraine Conflict
The Taliban's silence on the matter mirrors the cautious stance taken by international airlines. Except for Afghan and Iranian carriers, reluctance to navigate Afghanistan's airspace prevails. The risk of militant attacks, fostered by decades of CIA-backed mujahedeen warfare against the Soviet Union, coupled with the possibility of Soviet-era anti-aircraft weaponry, underscores this trepidation.
The FAA posits that flights above 32,000 feet remain beyond the effective range of these armaments, even if launched from elevated positions. However, this theoretical safeguard has yet to inspire a resurgence of interest from commercial carriers. United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, both utilizing the Wakhan Corridor route, maintain their cautious approach, cognizant of potential threats and dynamic conditions.
Also Read: Inferno Horror: Russian Petrol Station Blaze Claims 30 Lives and Leaves Scores Injured
While airlines currently tread cautiously, history offers a contrasting narrative. Prior to the recent upheaval, Afghan airspace was a favored thoroughfare for airlines. A 2014 report from the International Civil Aviation Organization highlighted exponential growth in overflight numbers, translating from negligible figures in 2002 to over 100,000 annual flights a dozen years later. The fees levied on each flight provided Afghanistan with substantial revenue, a boon amidst its enduring economic crisis.
In a complex twist, the Taliban claims a form of financial success from their limited overflight program. Afghanistan's Transportation and Aviation Authority Ministry stated that it generated over $8.4 million in overflight fees over a four-month span, capitalizing on international airlines traversing its airspace. However, this revenue is subject to international sanctions, with the International Air Transport Association suspending its fee collection contract since September 2021.
As the aviation industry navigates this intricate web of geopolitical and ethical considerations, the skies above Afghanistan remain both a contested terrain and a potential source of economic relief for a beleaguered nation."
