Kabul ACC

Coordinates: 34°33′57″N 069°12′47″E / 34.56583°N 69.21306°E / 34.56583; 69.21306
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Kabul Area Control Centre[1]
Summary
Coordinates34°33′57″N 069°12′47″E / 34.56583°N 69.21306°E / 34.56583; 69.21306
Map
OAKX is located in Afghanistan
OAKX
OAKX
Location within Afghanistan

The Kabul Area Control Centre (ICAO: OAKX)[2] was the only en route area control center (ACC) in Afghanistan. From the Kabul Area Control Centre, air traffic controllers provided en route and terminal control services to aircraft in the Kabul Flight Information Region (FIR). The ACC was managed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.[3]

History[edit]

Midwest ATC provided the air traffic control staff for Kabul ACC, which was opened in 2005. The ACC used non-radar air traffic control to separate aircraft in Afghanistan's airspace.[4]

Closure[edit]

The Kabul ACC ceased operations on 16 August 2021 and was abandoned due to the deteriorating security situation. Air traffic control authorities issued a NOTAM alerting aircraft that no air traffic services were available over Afghanistan.[5][6] Civilian and military air traffic control responsibilities were handed over to the United States Air Force.[7] The U.S. military temporarily provided limited air traffic control services until they departed Kabul on 30 August 2021.[8]

On 21 January 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration issued at NOTAM which stated all of Afghanistan's airspace is considered to be uncontrolled.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Global Database of ACC AFTN 8-Letter Addresses" (PDF). icao.int. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Airspace of Afghanistan". easa.europa.eu. European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Air Traffic Management Contingency Plan, Kabul FIR" (PDF). icao.int. ICAO ( International Civil Aviation Organization). Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Midwest ATC Services - About Midwest - Our Story". atctower.com. Midwest ATC, Overland Park, Kansas. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Conflict Zone & Risk Database - Afghanistan". safeairspace.net. Safe Airspace/OPSGROUP. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  6. ^ "The Aviation Situation in Afghanistan". flightradar24.com. Flightradar24 AB. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Air traffic controllers assist with critical Kabul operations". expeditionarycenter.af.mil. United States Air Force. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  8. ^ "The U.S. War in Afghanistan". cfr.org. Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Defense Internet NOTAM Service". notams.faa.gov. Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved 21 January 2023.