Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) said that airline Air Arabia has resumed flights to Kabul after two and half years of suspension, and the first flight took place today (Wednesday).
MoTCA said on X that the flights of this company will be carried out routinely once a day between Sharjah and Kabul. “Today, Air Arabia started its flights to Kabul Airport, and it will make its flights between Kabul and Sharjah every day,” the ministry’s spokesman, Imamuddin Ahmadi told TOLOnews. Some businessmen praised this move but added that it was also necessary to resolve the issue of businessmen’s visas to Arab nations.
“Regardless of the visa issue, there are still many problems. We hope the United Arab Emirates government will facilitate visas for Afghans in order to increase investment in both the Afghan market and the international markets of the UAE,” said Mahbobullah Mohammadi, a businessman.
According to some economists, the resumption of flights of international companies will be effective for economic growth. “It is a positive step, especially in connecting domestic and foreign passengers to Afghanistan, as well as various private and foreign institutions, and in increasing the aviation company’s revenue,” Seyar Qureshi, an economist told TOLOnews.
“Among the other benefits this move can bring is attracting foreign investment and more tourists; ultimately it will cause economic growth in Afghanistan,” Shaker Yaqoobi, another economist told TOLOnews.
This comes as on November 15, 2023, Flydubai resumed its flights to Kabul and is operating two daily flights from Kabul to Dubai. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA), said that Air Arabia will resume its flights between Kabul and Sharjah, UAE from January 10, 2024.
The ministry’s spokesman, Imamuddin Ahmadi, told TOLOnews that after Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways will also resume their flights to Afghanistan. Ahmadi added that the resumption of these flights, besides providing facilities for the public, will foster healthy competition among airlines.
“The Air Arabia Airlines has also asked that they want to start flights with Afghanistan from Kabul, their demand has also been accepted, and in the near future their flights will start. In the meantime, Jazeera Airways has also demanded that they want to start direct flight from Afghanistan,” tge spokesman added.
The MoTCA spokesman stated that in addition to Kabul Airport, the nation has other airports that meet international standards and are currently used by airlines. Meanwhile, some economists said that the resumption of flights of foreign companies in Afghanistan is important in creating facilities and lowering the cost of transportation for the country’s residents.
“More airline services and trips by air provide facilities both to the businessmen and families, because the work is being done quickly. On the other hand, it can lower the prices of the tickets,” Abdul Zuhur Mudaber, an economist told TOLOnews.
“The start of different flights, especially the Arabic and Middle East flights, can help us in the export of strategic goods from Afghanistan,” Shabir Bashiri, another economist told TOLOnews.
Earlier, Flydubai resumed its flights after a two-year suspension in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, reported that there are currently flights operating in the country from local Afghan companies as well as airlines from neighboring nations and the region.—Tolonews
