Turkish Airlines Resumes Flights to Kabul After Nearly Three Years

Turkish Airlines flights to Kabul resumed today (Tuesday) after nearly three years.

The airline is scheduled to operate four flights a week between Kabul and Istanbul.

Cenk Ünal, the ambassador of Türkiye to Kabul, said that the resumption of flights by this airline will enhance commercial relations and the tourism industry between the two countries.

“The international Turkish Airlines, which is resuming its flights to Kabul, not only strengthens the relations between the two countries but also develops commercial, tourism, and cultural relations,” Cenk Ünal said.

Mahmut Yayla, Turkish Airlines’ director of sales and marketing for the second region, said: “With great speed and a fleet of 454 modern aircraft, we connect 348 destinations in 130 countries across four continents, and through these flights, we also connect Kabul to the world.”

The last flight of Turkish Airlines to Afghanistan was on August 14, 2021.

Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said that all facilities are currently in place, and other international airlines can also operate flights to Afghanistan.

Ghulam Jilani Wafa, senior advisor to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, said: “We will provide standard services to ensure better facilities for the people of the region and our own people.”

On the other hand, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment also said that along with the resumption of international airline flights, there is a need to facilitate visa issuance, especially for Türkiye.

Khanjan Alokozai, a board member of the ACCI, told TOLOnews: “We have more than fifteen thousand tons of pine nuts annually, and we hope that Turkish Airlines will sign a contract with us to regularly and systematically transport our goods.”

According to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, there are currently 27 active airports in the country, with international flights being conducted from five of them.