Following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, a crisis ensued in the operations of Kabul airport, leading to a temporary breakdown, drawing significant global attention and numerous responses.
Qatar, among the world countries, was the one that acted for a real resolution of the situation, jumping through hoops in order to restart the airport. With domestic flights recommenced on September 4, 2021, ongoing efforts continued to fully restore the airport functionality. Notably, the first international flight, operated by Qatar Airways, departed from Kabul airport to Doha International Airport on September 9. A year later, on September 24, 2022, the Qatari technical crew successfully accomplished its mission in Kabul airport.
The beginning: Consultations with Qatar to manage Kabul Airport
On August 31, 2021, Muhammad Naeem, spokesperson of the Taliban, affirmed ongoing consultations with Qatar for the latter to assume a technical role in the Kabul airport after the US pullout, avowing the airport’s breakdown.
The following day, Qatar’s FM Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, although stressing the vitality of reopening the airport and restoring stability in Afghanistan, remarked that the restart of Kabul airport is still under consideration to make a thorough assessment of both security and technical aspects required for the reopening of the airport, adding that the matter will be concluded in the upcoming days.
The US supports Qatari and Turkish efforts
On September 1, 2021, the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price highlighted the Qatari and Turkish efforts to reopen the civilian partition of the airport as soon as possible, and stressed that his country will continue to support these efforts by all possible means.
The White House spokesperson Jennifer Psaki bore out the State Department statements on September 2, 2021, and underlined the major destruction of the civilian partition of the airport.
Lolwah Al-Khater illuminates the Qatari role
On September 2, 2021, Lolwah Al-Khater, spokesperson of the Qatari Foreign Ministry, touched on the Qatari mission to Kabul airport, emphasizing on the Qatari key role and the international contributions to this mission.
Al-Khater illustrated the Qatari mission steps for the resumption of operations at Kabul airport and the return of domestic and foreign flights, especially after the departure of technicians and experts working for foreign companies, explaining that the airport’s infrastructure was either destroyed or looted, and that the Qatari team focused primarily on the technical aspect despite the security concerns.
In parallel, Al-Khater added, there were discussions with international partners and the Taliban on the airport security including the vicinity of it and the airport itself.
Continuous efforts to restarting the airport
On September 2, 2021, Qatar’s FM Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani disclosed ongoing communication with the Taliban to assess potential challenges and elucidate the risks associated with the resumption of airport’s operations, underscoring Qatar’s optimism about a swift restart of the flights.
The following day, Mutlaq bin Majid Al-Qahtani, the Qatar FM special envoy for counterterrorism and mediation in conflict resolution, addressed the constant Qatari initiatives to facilitate the operation of Kabul airport, expressing optimism about the potential opening of humanitarian corridors within 24 to 48 hours with the aim of enabling the entry of humanitarian aid and facilitate the arrival of additional aid to Kabul airport, as well as other airports in Afghanistan.
Al-Qahtani explained that his country’s efforts are primarily focused on ensuring the security and safety of air navigation in Afghanistan, and that the Qatari experts and technicians have done their best and the work is still ongoing with the real results awaited for when the planes are seen landing at the airport.
The Qatari high-profile diplomat added that these efforts also seek to ensure freedom of travel and movement for foreigners and Afghans who possess the necessary documents for that, concluding that there are still many logistical and technical challenges with Qatar continuing to fix them.
For his part, Al-Mawlawi Rahmat-Allah Kalzar, head of the Afghan Civil Aviation Authority, spoke on the same day about the role of the Qatari technical team, which, upon its arrival, began the process of assessing the damage to the airport facilities, and made plans to quickly restart it.
Kalzar explained the damage amounted to around USD 4 million with the control tower and radar completely destroyed as well as the waiting lounges, while the aircrafts and offices of the National Aviation Police were severely damaged. The Authority, Kalzar stated, will request Qatar’s assistance in air transport and is ready to conclude a partnership with Doha.
Operating domestic flights
On September 4, 2021, Saeed bin Mubarak Al-Khayareen, Qatar ambassador to Kabul, affirmed the Qatari technical team’s ability to operate the safe humanitarian headquarters, and that work is underway to fix the rest of the technical matters.
Al-Khayarin pointed out that the Qatari team managed to reoperate the airport technically, as two domestic flights took off from Kabul airport to Kandahar and Mazar Sharaf.
The repairs, the ambassador added, included repairing the control tower, radar, and runway as well as securing the airport internally and externally in cooperation with the Afghan government, and the technical team is evaluating the airport’s administrative situation after it was vandalized by the overcrowdedness in order to operate it again as soon as possible.
For his part, Zabih Allah Mujahid, spokesperson of the Afghan government, appreciated the Qatari role in restarting the airport and conveying 50 tons of food and medical humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Mujahid thanked the Qatari people and the efforts of the Qatari technical team and assured the world that maintenance work would be accomplished soon.
On September 6, 2021, the White House Chief of Staff Roy Klein stated that the USA hopes that Qatar will be able to restart international flights in the upcoming days, while the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken thanked the diplomatic efforts made by Qatar and Turkey to help restart Kabul airport again.
Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani underlines security measures
On September 7, 2021, Qatar’s FM Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani reported substantial repairs to various elements in Kabul airport, indicating that the airport was close to full functionality. Notwithstanding, he noted that a definitive approach for the management or operation of the airport had not yet been determined.
Al-Thani affirmed that Qatar continues to operate daily humanitarian aid flights and receives flights from various countries contributing to humanitarian aid, establishing a humanitarian corridor to Afghanistan. The repairs have enabled the airport to accommodate charter flights, and Qatar has initiated experimental humanitarian aid flights.
Specific criteria for passengers boarding such flights, particularly that related to security, Qatar’s top diplomat explained, must be met and it requires negotiations with the Taliban that have been already ongoing. Opening the airport to international commercial flights can be achieved in a brief timeframe, with the necessity of upgrading some equipment to meet the standards of an international airport.
In conclusion, Al-Thani pointed out the importance of security measures, because if the security measures agreed upon with the Taliban are actually implemented, it will facilitate the achievement of all desired goals as soon as possible.
The first international commercial flight
On September 9, 2021, Mutlaq bin Majid Al-Qahtani, Qatar’s FM special envoy for counterterrorism and mediation in conflict resolution, declared Kabul Airport as ready for air traffic and announced a gradual opening to international flights, marking a historic day for Afghanistan with the initiation of commercial flights from Doha to Kabul, accommodating both local and foreign passengers.
Al-Qahtani detailed that Kabul airport is now 90% operational, with its systems functioning normally, highlighting significant challenges faced by Qatari technical team to restart the airport until it turned ready to receive international aid.
On the same day, Afghanistan FM Amir Khan sent thanks and gratitude to the efforts made by Qatar in restarting Kabul airport.
The US National Security Council expresses gratitude to Qatar
Emily Horne, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, stated that the US government facilitated the departure of US citizens and legal permanent residents on a Qatar Airways charter flight, as the flight departed from Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Horne confirmed that the flight landed safely in Qatar, and expressed great gratitude to the ongoing efforts made by Qatar to facilitate operations in Kabul airport, and to help ensure the safety of these charter flights.
Afghan officials confirm the completion of technical equipment
On September 11, 2021, the Afghan authorities officially verified the completion of technical equipment of Kabul airport. Domestic flights to and from the airport proceeded seamlessly according to new administrative and security procedures both inside and around the airport.
Al Jazeera correspondent Hamdi Al-Bokari reported from the airport runway and arrival hall, where he confirmed the airport’s full readiness to receive and operate internal and external flights after maintenance work carried out by the Qatari technical team.
Libération highlights Qatar Airways
On September 18, 2021, the French daily Libération touched on Qatar Airways role as the first airline to take off from Kabul after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, and described it as a real tool in the hands of Qatari diplomacy.
Qatar Airways’ role, Libération reported, goes far beyond air traffic and has already left a mark by its efforts in combating Covid-19 pandemic.
The Qatari technical team made the cut
Subsequently, the State of Qatar continued collaborative efforts with international partners to convey aid and oversee the operation of Kabul international airport in conjunction with Turkey and the interim Afghan government. Qatar maintained its crucial role in facilitating UN activities and operational initiatives in Afghanistan.
On September 24, 2022, the Qatari technical team finished the job at Kabul airport after a full year of unwavering dedication and strenuous efforts over which it revived Kabul airport from the ashes.
