Thursday, 30 September 2021 | PNS | New Delhi
In first communication to India, Afghan Aviation Minister writes to DGCA
The Taliban’s Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has written to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requesting the Indian Government to resume commercial flights to Kabul in Afghanistan. The letter was written by acting Minister for Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority Alhaj Hameedullah Akhunzada to DGCA chief Arun Kumar earlier this month.
This is the first official communication from the Taliban. The last commercial flight between India and Afghanistan was operated by Air India on the Kabul-New Delhi route on August 15, the day Kabul fell to the Taliban.
Officials said the letter is currently under review by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). In the letter dated September 7, Akhunzada said, “You are well informed that recently the Kabul airport was damaged and made 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 6, 2021”.
Akhunzada further stated that the intention of this letter is to keep the smooth passenger movement between the two countries based on the signed MoU and 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”.
According to reports, Akhunzada is one of the 14 members of the Cabinet who are listed under the UN Security Council’s sanctions regime. He had been the head of Ariana airlines during the first Taliban regime.
Last week, Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced that it is asking airlines to resume commercial flights to Kabul, saying the battered airport is now “fully operational” and promising “full cooperation” with carriers.
Currently, international flights in and out of Afghanistan are only being operated from Iran and Pakistan. Besides, there have been special flights from the UAE, Qatar, Turkey and Ukraine.
Prior to the Taliban takeover, Air India and low-cost airline SpiceJet operated flights between Delhi and Kabul. These flights mainly flew medical tourists, students, and traders, while carrying spices and dry fruits as cargo.
India is yet to recognise the Taliban Government in Afghanistan amid growing concerns over the future of the country across the world.
