FlyDubai suspends flights to Kabul over Taliban concerns

Dhaka: The UAE’s FlyDubai has suspended flight services to Kabul due to political unrest in Afghanistan. Earlier, on August 15, a Boeing 737 service of Flydubai to Kabul returned to Dubai mid-flight due to the temporary closure of the runway at the airport. Then the airline announced it had suspended services to the city until further notice.

Another UAE airline Emirates also diverted its flight to Kabul on August 15. The Emirates Boeing 777-300 flight circled over the Afghanistan capital before returning to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

"We are monitoring developments around the situation in Afghanistan and are working closely with all the relevant authorities to ensure the safe operation of our services," an Emirates spokesperson said.

The flight suspension follows the move of Taliban militant group entering Kabul on August 15.

The Taliban have captured nearly all of Afghanistan and have surrounded the capital city of Kabul. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had a telephone conversation with security officials regarding the security of the citizens in the city.

President Ghani is likely to resign as the Taliban ‘peacefully’ take over control.

A peaceful transfer of power to the transitional government is being prepared, Afghanistan’s interior minister stated.