Taliban revenue ⁣Soars ​as Airspace Becomes Unexpected Economic Lifeline

Despite ongoing economic hardship and limited international recognition, the Taliban are generating meaningful revenue through​ control of Afghan airspace, benefiting from a⁤ resurgence in air traffic. While concerns about security ​lingered after the Taliban takeover, air travel over⁤ and to Afghanistan has largely returned to ​normal, creating a surprising financial boon for the regime.

According‌ to ​aerfinal consultant‌ Xavier Tytelman, “There is no soil-to-air risk in‍ Afghanistan.” He notes the normalization of air traffic, with daily flights landing ‍in Kabul. Airlines like Turkish Airlines, Flydubai, and Airarabia currently serve the Afghan capital on an ⁤almost daily​ basis. Furthermore, major international carriers ‌including Singapore Airlines, Air france, Aeroflot, and Swiss Air ‌are utilizing Afghan airspace over cities like Kabul, Mazar-E-Sharif, and Kandahar, indicating⁣ a perceived⁣ level of air ‍safety.

However, maintaining operational capacity presents challenges. Tytelman points to the difficulty​ of sourcing spare parts for aircraft⁢ due to‌ limited imports,⁣ potentially complicating emergency landings. He also raises concerns about airspace capacity, noting a significant increase in daily flights from 50​ to 280, potentially straining the Taliban’s air traffic control infrastructure. the question arises whether⁤ the Taliban‌ will eventually be forced to limit flights due‍ to‌ capacity issues and‍ the⁤ state ​of their control systems.

for the Taliban,‌ whose government is ⁢officially recognized only by Russia, the revenue generated from airspace access is a crucial source⁣ of income amidst a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by frozen Afghan assets and international sanctions.

Industry sources, speaking anonymously, reveal that Kabul receives royalties from airlines through intermediaries, notably Emirati‌ company Gaac Holding, which manages Afghan airports. Many⁤ airlines contacted by AFP declined to comment on payment procedures,⁤ citing caution about associating with ⁢the Taliban regime.⁣

While‌ no ⁢formal prohibition exists for companies to trade with Afghanistan – US sanctions target specific ‍Taliban officials‍ – some ⁢businesses are hesitant due to reputational concerns. Suleiman Ben Shah, former⁣ deputy minister for industry and trade, estimates the annual revenue from these royalties to ⁤be “tens of millions of euros.”

Afghan aviation officials have declined to provide ‍specific details‌ regarding ‍the amount of fees collected or⁢ the mechanisms involved. However, Ben Shah emphasizes the strategic importance of this revenue stream, stating that control of airspace “strengthens the stranglehold (of the government)​ on the sovereign functions ‍of⁢ the State and ⁤strengthens its image⁢ of operational authority, even without (broad) international recognition.”

In essence,the resumption of air travel,driven by global connectivity needs,has inadvertently provided a significant financial lifeline to the Taliban,bolstering their​ control and offering⁤ a rare source of economic‍ stability in a nation grappling with profound challenges.