Turkish Airlines resumes flights to Afghanistan almost 3 years after the Taliban took Kabul

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghanistan’s Taliban government has confirmed the resumption of Turkish Airlines flights to Kabul International Airport, nearly three years after the carrier suspended services following the collapse of the Western-backed government.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said the first Turkish Airlines flight landed on Tuesday and was greeted by government officials.

Turkish Airlines flights are back with a schedule of four weekly return flights between Istanbul and Kabul on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

All international airlines halted flights to Afghanistan when the Taliban took power in August 2021, as US and NATO forces left after two decades of war.

In January, Air Arabia resumed flights to Kabul International Airport. In November 2023, FlyDubai became the first international carrier to resume flights to Afghanistan.

Two Afghan airlines, Kam Air and Ariana Afghan Airlines, operate from Kabul to destinations including Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Moscow; Islamabad and Istanbul.