The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Swiss media outlet blue News reported that increasing numbers of international flights are being diverted over Afghanistan due to regional conflicts, generating tens of millions of dollars in annual revenue for the Taliban.
According to the report, airlines are increasingly using Afghan airspace as key routes over parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East remain restricted due to ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and instability in the region.
The Taliban reportedly charge a flat fee of $700 per overflight, contributing to an estimated weekly income of around $1.4 million, or more than $70 million annually. The number of flights has surged to nearly 2,000 per week, roughly five times higher than a year ago.
Despite the growing traffic, concerns have been raised over aviation safety, as Afghanistan currently lacks a fully functioning air traffic control system. Pilots are said to coordinate among themselves by sharing position and speed information while flying through the country’s airspace.
The report noted that while overflight fees are common globally, Afghanistan’s system differs as it applies a flat rate regardless of aircraft size or distance. In contrast, most countries calculate fees based on aircraft weight and route length under internationally regulated systems.
The shift in flight routes is largely driven by geopolitical tensions, which have also led to the suspension of some airline services to parts of the Middle East. As a result, travel demand has increasingly shifted toward destinations in Europe and the Caribbean.
The development highlights how regional conflicts continue to reshape global aviation patterns, while also raising concerns over safety and regulatory standards in high-traffic but under-monitored airspace like Afghanistan.
