In response to CNA's queries, a Singapore Airlines (SIA)
spokesperson said that in view of the latest development in Afghanistan, all
SIA and Scoot flights are currently not "traversing" Afghan airspace.
"We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and
make the appropriate adjustments where necessary," the spokesperson added.
Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed few commercial
flights over Afghanistan at 3am GMT on Monday but many planes overflying
neighbouring Pakistan and Iran.
The website, which tracks flights in real time, also showed
Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ 319 from London to Singapore avoiding Afghan
airspace.
United Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic said
they were not using the country's airspace.
A United spokeswoman said the change affects several of the
airline's US to India flights.
Airlines and governments have paid more attention to the
risks of flying over conflict zones in recent years after two deadly incidents
involving surface-to-air missiles.
A Malaysia Airlines plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine
in 2014, killing all 298 people on board, and an Ukraine International Airlines
jet was downed by Iran's military in 2020, killing all 176 passengers and crew.
The US Federal Aviation Administration in July imposed new
flight restrictions over Afghanistan for US airlines and other US operators.
The FAA said flights operating below 26,000 feet were
prohibited in the Kabul Flight Information Region, which largely covers
Afghanistan, unless operating in and out of Hamid Karzai International Airport,
citing the risk "posed by extremist/militant activity".
The restrictions do not apply to US military operations.
Other countries, including Canada, Britain, Germany and
France had also advised airlines to maintain an altitude of at least 25,000
feet over Afghanistan, according to website Safe Airspace, which tracks such
warnings.
Korean Air Lines said some of its cargo flights were using
Afghanistan airspace, though its passenger flights were not.
"Due to the situation in Afghanistan, we are flying our
cargo flights at higher altitudes and avoiding flying at lower altitudes,"
a spokesperson said. "We are closely monitoring the situation and we plan
to review shifting our routes if necessary."
Taiwan's China Airlines said it was keeping an eye on the
situation and would adjust flight paths if needed in accordance with US and
European Union airspace instructions. It did not elaborate.
Commercial flights set to land in Afghanistan have also been
affected by the chaos on the ground. Emirates has suspended flights to
Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, until further notice, the airline said on its
website.