A man tries to use Google on his smartphone amid total telecom shutdown across the country, in Kabul, Afghanistan, September 30, 2025. (Reuters)
Internet cut off leaves Afghans stranded as flights canceled
At least 14 flights scheduled to operate out of Kabul airport on Wednesday were canceled, with the status of other flights unclear, data from plane tracker Flightradar24 showed, following an internet shutdown in Afghanistan.
Growing chaos from the Taliban administration’s order on Monday to cut internet and cell phone connections has hit banks, aid work, businesses, and the ability of Afghans to connect with family and friends. It has also left many stranded in Afghanistan, with flights canceled.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The Taliban administration has not explained the connectivity blackout and Reuters was unable to reach them for comment. The United Nations has called for services to be restored.
In the past, the Taliban have voiced concern about online pornography, and authorities cut fiber-optic links to some provinces in recent weeks, with officials citing morality concerns.
Out of the total 34 flights that were slated to fly in and out of Kabul on Wednesday, four departures and ten arrivals were canceled. On Tuesday, 10 flights out of 31 scheduled were called off.
The status of the remaining 21 flights from Tuesday were labelled “unknown” on the Flightradar24 website. Many flights scheduled to operate out of other provincial airports, such as Herat and Kandahar, for Tuesday and Wednesday were also labelled “unknown.”
Mohammad Bashir, a representative of Kam Air, an Afghan domestic and international carrier, told the country’s Tolo News channel that just one flight had run since the internet blackout. He said that before a plane takes off, they must share flight information online with the destination airport, which was not now possible.
He hoped that operations could restart on Wednesday.
“This is important for our fellow citizens who had transit flights and for those who were stranded trying to return. We must restart operations for their sake,” Bashir said.
Read more:
Taliban government rejects reports of a nationwide internet ban in Afghanistan
Taliban’s communications blackout in Afghanistan continues for second day
Taliban shut down communications across Afghanistan
Editor's Choice
-
Pezeshkian post confirms accuracy of Al Arabiya English’s US-Iran deal scoop Middle East 18 June ,2026 -
US-led effort to boost Lebanon’s army emerges as key pillar of Hezbollah disarmament Middle East 04 June ,2026 -
US, Iran send mixed signals on potential deal after latest attacks Middle East 28 May ,2026 -
Al Arabiya obtains final draft of preliminary US-Iran memorandum of understanding Middle East 25 May ,2026