The Taliban asked international airlines Sunday to restart flights to Kabul, saying all technical concerns at the country’s main airport have been overcome.
Facilities at Kabul airport were seriously damaged in the chaotic evacuation of more than 120,000 people that ended August 30 with the exit of the final US forces.
Since then only charter flights have been running, but Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Iran’s Mahan Air and Afghanistan’s Kam Air have run a limited number of special flights.
The international world is keen to hold the Taliban to their promise that they will let anyone to leave the country once commercial flights return.
At current airlines such as PIA and Kam Air are asking more than $1,200 for a one-way, 40-minute journey from Kabul to Islamabad.
Even at that price — the result of war insurance, according to the carriers — the irregular flights are frequently oversubscribed.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the newly designated spokesman for the ministry of foreign affairs, said the Taliban hoped proper commercial activities would restart shortly.
“Many Afghan citizens were stuck outside and unable to return to their motherland,” he added in a statement.
“Moreover, many Afghan individuals who have worldwide work or study education overseas are now having difficulty in reaching their destinations.”
Services at Kabul airport were restored largely with technical aid from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.
