KABUL – Confronted with severe financial strain, the Taliban government has turned Afghanistan’s airspace into a key source of revenue, collecting millions of dollars from international airlines flying over the country.
Rising Overflights
With regional instability altering traditional flight paths, Afghanistan’s skies have become increasingly busy. Airlines are paying an estimated $700 per flight to cross Afghan territory. Officials and analysts suggest this generates up to $4.2 million per month, with annual revenue potentially reaching $50 million.
The number of overflights, which once hovered around 50 per day, has risen sharply to more than 200 daily in recent months, largely due to diversions caused by conflicts in the Middle East.
Financial Pressures
Despite this new income stream, concerns remain over transparency and the Taliban’s ability to manage funds effectively. Sanctions, limited infrastructure, and lack of global recognition continue to hinder Afghanistan’s economy, making reliance on airspace fees both critical and fragile.
Political Implications
Beyond financial relief, the Taliban views the collection of overflight charges as a demonstration of its control over Afghanistan’s territory and resources, even as the regime remains diplomatically isolated.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.