Flight Ticket Prices Soar after Internet Blackout in Afghanistan

DID Press: Following a widespread internet outage in Afghanistan, the prices of flight tickets to regional destinations have surged to unprecedented levels.

After a two-day nationwide internet disruption, airfares have sharply increased as travel agencies and passengers reporting sudden rise in ticket prices on certain routes — including Kabul–Dubai. In some cases, it has been tripled.

Abdul Rashid, an employee at a travel agency, told local media: “Before the internet blackout, ticket prices usually ranged from $270 to $275. But now they have jumped to $700 and even higher. The main reason is the disruption in online reservation systems and the sudden spike in demand after the internet was restored.”

Sajjad, another travel agency worker, said: “During the blackout, many flights were canceled. Once the internet came back, there were major issues with coordination and booking systems. Demand shot up, and that caused prices to skyrocket.”

According to recent reports, the price of a Kabul–Dubai ticket currently ranges between $700 and $1,000 — a figure that passengers say is several times higher than the normal rate, making travel unaffordable for many families.

Bashir Ahmad Taliq, sales manager at Kam Air, said that internet disruption had halted both domestic and international reservation systems, directly affecting ticket availability and pricing.