New Delhi, August 17, 2021 (PPI-OT): India’s airlines will avoid flying over Afghanistan as Kabul’s airspace has been closed for civilian air traffic.

Accordingly, Air India and Vistara, which use the airpsace for their west-bound flights, will reroute their operations.

IndiGo said in a statement: “Given the current circumstances, IndiGo is avoiding Afghanistan airspace since the evening of August 15, 2021 and will continue doing so until the situation improves. We have ensured to cover all flights with alternative airspace.”

According to a Vistara spokesperson: “We have stopped using Afghanistan airspace and are taking an alternate route for our flights to and from London.

“We are closely working with the relevant authorities to monitor and assess the situation and taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our passengers, staff and aircraft.”

Besides, Air India has cancelled its flight operations on Delhi-Kabul-Delhi route after the airspace over the war-torn city was closed. The airline is monitoring the situation closely.

Earlier in the day, a NOTAM (notice to airmen) was issued advising incoming and transiting civilian aircraft to reroute before entering Afghanistan’s airspace.

On Monday, Air India’s flight from Delhi to Kabul was originally scheduled to depart at 8.30 a.m. However, Air India, which was monitoring the situation in Afghanistan, decided to operate the flight at 12.30 p.m. The flight was eventually cancelled.

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