The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided to withdraw its proposal from May 2018 which sought to impose additional limitations on the operations of US-based carriers in and over Afghanistan.
The FAA acknowledged that "the unique environment in Afghanistan continues", but also said that all operations by US airlines or staff in the country are in support of the government and military activities there.
The FAA sought earlier to restrict US civil flight operations below Flight Level 160 within the territory and airspace of Afghanistan unless the operations are authorized by the US government and approved by the FAA, or subject to an exemption granted by the FAA. Only flights conducted on behalf of the US government would be eligible for such an exemption.
However, given the absence of other flights operated to Afghanistan by US carriers, such a restriction would simply add another level of bureaucracy without actually changing much. Several carriers, including Kalitta Air (K4, Detroit Willow Run), Atlas Air (5Y, New York JFK), and PACTEC International (Nampa Municipal) complained about the proposed rules.
US carriers are currently advised to stay at Flight Level 330 or above whenever possible during operations over Afghanistan.
According to the ch-aviation capacity module, no scheduled traffic exists between the US and Afghanistan. Multiple US carriers operate regular passenger and cargo charter flights in the support of the troops and civilian workers posted in the country.
