Flydubai breaks ground as first international carrier to resume Kabul flights

KABUL – Emirati airline flydubai has unveiled its plans to restart operations connecting Dubai and Kabul, Afghanistan. This milestone development marks flydubai as the very first international carrier to reestablish services to Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US forces.

Beginning on November 15th, flydubai will commence a double daily service between Dubai International and Kabul International. This endeavor will be carried out using one of the carrier’s 78 Boeing 737s, further expanding its reach into the global aviation market. With over 115 destinations now on its roster, flydubai is solidifying its position as a significant player in the airline industry.

Currently, the only operators at Kabul International Airport are Kam Air and Ariana Afghan Airlines, both managing operations domestically and serving various international destinations, including Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Moscow, and Kuwait.

Competition awaits flydubai on this route, as both Kam Air and Ariana Afghan Airlines are already connecting multiple UAE ports. Ariana offers routes between Kabul and Al Ain (AAN) and Dubai International (DXB), while Kam Air services Abu Dhabi (AUH), Dubai International, and Sharjah (SHJ).

In 2022, the General Authority of Civil Aviation of the United Arab Emirates (GAAC) struck an agreement with Afghanistan to oversee all air traffic management. This strategic move was aimed at encouraging international airlines to return to the war-torn nation. GAAC also holds contracts for ground handling services and security screening at Afghanistan’s three major airports, which include Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat.

Flydubai’s resumption of flights to Kabul is a significant step, making it the first international airline to take this initiative. The carrier’s twice-daily services from Dubai will not only cater to the demand for travel to Afghanistan but also seamlessly connect passengers to flydubai’s extensive network, providing convenient access to Emirates flights.

Flight schedules will commence in the morning from Dubai Terminal Two. The first departure, FZ301, is scheduled to take off from DXB at 04:25 and land at KBL at 08:15 local time. After a brief stop of one hour and 15 minutes, the return flight, FZ302, will leave Kabul at 09:30, arriving in Dubai at 12:50.

For those who prefer a later departure, the second service, FZ305, will depart from Dubai at 09:50 and touch down in Kabul at 13:40. The return leg, FZ306, will leave Kabul at 14:55 and arrive in Dubai at 18:15.

Flydubai’s historic move to reopen this vital air link demonstrates its commitment to global connectivity and its role as a significant player in the aviation industry.