Major airlines, including Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and Lufthansa, have resumed flights over Afghanistan after years of avoidance due to safety concerns. The shift comes as escalating tensions between Iran and Israel have made Afghan airspace, previously deemed risky, appear relatively safer.
Airlines had largely ceased transiting Afghanistan when the Taliban took control in 2021 and air traffic control services were suspended. Despite these services not resuming, the growing volatility in the Middle East has prompted carriers to reconsider their flight routes. The closure of Russian airspace following the Ukraine war in 2022 had already forced many airlines to route through Iran and the Middle East, but with the recent escalation of hostilities between Iran and Israel, Afghanistan is now being viewed as a safer alternative.
The change in flight paths began in mid-April, coinciding with missile and drone exchanges between Iran and Israel. Airlines such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and British Airways started rerouting a few flights over Afghanistan. However, the most significant increase in overflights occurred after the killing of senior Hamas and Hezbollah members in late July, which heightened fears of further escalation.
While airlines are adjusting their routes based on security assessments, the decision has raised concerns among pilots. Otjan de Bruin, head of the European Cockpit Association, expressed unease about flying over conflict zones without fully understanding the risks. Despite these concerns, airlines like Lufthansa and KLM have resumed overflights, emphasizing that flights over Afghanistan are conducted on specific routes and at high altitudes to minimize risks.
As the conflict dynamics in the Middle East continue to evolve, airlines are constantly reassessing the safest routes for their passengers, with Afghanistan currently being seen as a preferable option given the circumstances.
