Afghanistan’s airspace saw nearly 96,500 international overflights over the past year, averaging around 200 flights per day, according to Amu, citing Taliban officials.
Fathullah Mansour, the Taliban’s deputy minister of transport and civil aviation, presented the figures as part of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation’s annual performance report. He said the increase reflected growing reliance on Afghanistan’s strategic air corridor, which some experts link to shifting global flight paths due to regional conflicts — notably the wars in Ukraine and between Israel and Iran.
In addition to airspace activity, the Taliban highlighted broader infrastructure efforts. These included expanding the terminal at Kabul International Airport and advancing aviation and ground transport standardization across the country.
The ministry also reported it had coordinated over 14,000 domestic and international flights and helped facilitate the Hajj pilgrimage for 30,000 Afghans. Infrastructure upgrades were underway or completed at major airports in Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, and Balkh.
As part of ground transport efforts, more than 540,000 Afghan returnees — many deported from Iran and Pakistan — were relocated to their home provinces. The ministry also registered 216 freight companies and 162 passenger transport firms, while monitoring service quality.
International cooperation was another focus. Mansour said Afghanistan signed transport agreements with Russia, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, and over 200 ministry staff were sent abroad for technical training, including to China, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
To support transport network expansion, around 23,000 jeribs of land were allocated for new terminal construction. Of 55 planned infrastructure projects, 34 were reportedly near completion, with nearly 4,000 jobs created directly or indirectly.
While Taliban officials present these developments as signs of administrative capacity and international engagement, independent analysts remain cautious. Afghanistan continues to grapple with a weakened economy, reduced international aid, and large-scale migration flows. Restrictions imposed by the Taliban have also hindered humanitarian operations and economic activity, according to UN agencies and other observers.
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