The Taliban has written to the DGCA, or Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to invite the resumption of economic flights between India and Afghanistan (Kabul).
A letter from the hardline group was sent to the DGCA earlier this month, and is under review by the Civil Aviation Ministry.
Addressed to DGCA chief Arun Kumar, the letter says the Kabul airport – “left damaged and dysfunctional by American troops before their withdrawal” – had become operational with help from Qatar, which a NOTAM (notice to airmen) during this regard had been issued on September 6.
“The intention of this letter is to stay smooth passenger movement between the 2 countries supported signed MoU and our National Carriers (Ariana Afghan Airline & Kam Air) aimed to commence scheduled flights. Therefore, Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority requests you to facilitate commercial flights,” acting Aviation Minister Alhaj Hameedullah Akhunzada wrote.
India had stopped all commercial flight operations to Kabul after Assumption , when the Taliban swept into the Afghan capital and took effective control of the war-torn country.
So far only a limited number of aid and passenger flights are operating out of Kabul.
On September 13 a world commercial flight – a Pakistan International Airlines plane – became the primary passenger jet to fly in and out of Kabul in over a month.
Since then, a couple of others have begun flying but with ticket prices remain high, Reuters said.
Last week the Taliban appealed to other airlines also , promising its co-operation and saying that each one problems – including “damages” caused by withdrawing Western forces – had been resolved.
Taliban spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi told press agency Reuters suspension of international flights had left Afghans stranded abroad and prevented people from travelling for work or study.
“As problems at Kabul International Airport are resolved and therefore the airport is fully operational for domestic and international flights, the IEA assures all airlines of its full cooperation,” he said.
Repairs are administered with the help of technical teams from Qatar and Turkey, he said.
The IEA is that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan – the Taliban’s term for his or her new government.
Earlier this month Afghan police also returned, operating checkpoints alongside Taliban forces.
A policeman told press agency AFP he had been called back to figure by the Taliban, who claim to possess granted a general amnesty to everyone who worked for the previous regime.
After the Taliban’s takeover, Kabul airport was flooded by tens of thousands of Afghan nationals desperately looking to escape , also as foreign nationals and aid workers waiting to be evacuated.
The Indian government operated several such flights – in co-ordination with the Air Force and airlines – bringing back many citizens, also as refugees and foreigners.
Heart-breaking scenes were witnessed at the peak of the evacuation process, including the sight of a US Marine lifting a baby over a razor wire-topped wall at the airport.
The airport was also attacked by suicide bombers who struck at one among its gates, killing a minimum of 60; video shot by locals showed dozens of bodies strewn around a canal on the sting of the power .