Kabul ACC
{{short description|Air traffic control facility}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Kabul Area Control Centre{{cite web |title=Global Database of ACC AFTN 8-Letter Addresses |url=https://www.icao.int/safety/meteorology/iavwopsg/quick%20launch%20menu%20documents/nuclear%208-letter-code%20database.pdf |website=icao.int |access-date=18 January 2023}}
| ICAO = OAKX
| coordinates = {{coord|34|33|57|N|069|12|47|E|region:AF|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Afghanistan
| pushpin_label = OAKX
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Afghanistan
}}
The Kabul Area Control Centre (ICAO: OAKX){{cite web |title=Airspace of Afghanistan |url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/air-operations/czibs/czib-2017-08r11 |website=easa.europa.eu |publisher=European Union Aviation Safety Agency |access-date=18 January 2023}} 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.{{cite web |title=Air Traffic Management Contingency Plan, Kabul FIR |url=https://www.icao.int/APAC/Meetings/2015%20AHACG3/WP05%20Att%20A%20Draft%20AFG%20ATM%20CP.pdf |website=icao.int |publisher=ICAO ( International Civil Aviation Organization) |access-date=18 January 2023}}
History
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.{{cite web |title=Midwest ATC Services - About Midwest - Our Story |url=https://atctower.com/services/ |website=atctower.com |publisher=Midwest ATC, Overland Park, Kansas |access-date=21 January 2023}}
Closure
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.{{cite web |title=Conflict Zone & Risk Database - Afghanistan |url=https://safeairspace.net/afghanistan/ |website=safeairspace.net |publisher=Safe Airspace/OPSGROUP |access-date=21 January 2023}}{{cite web |title=The Aviation Situation in Afghanistan |url=https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/the-aviation-situation-in-afghanistan/ |website=flightradar24.com |date=20 August 2021 |publisher=Flightradar24 AB |access-date=18 January 2023}} Civilian and military air traffic control responsibilities were handed over to the United States Air Force.{{cite web |title=Air traffic controllers assist with critical Kabul operations |url=https://www.expeditionarycenter.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2826131/air-traffic-controllers-assist-with-critical-kabul-operations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102180505/https://www.expeditionarycenter.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2826131/air-traffic-controllers-assist-with-critical-kabul-operations/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 November 2021 |website=expeditionarycenter.af.mil |publisher=United States Air Force |access-date=18 January 2023}} The U.S. military temporarily provided limited air traffic control services until they departed Kabul on 30 August 2021.{{cite web |title=The U.S. War in Afghanistan |url=https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-war-afghanistan |website=cfr.org |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |access-date=21 January 2023}}
On 21 January 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration issued at NOTAM which stated all of Afghanistan's airspace is considered to be uncontrolled.{{cite web |title=Defense Internet NOTAM Service |url=https://www.notams.faa.gov/dinsQueryWeb/queryRetrievalMapAction.do?reportType=Raw&retrieveLocId=oakx&actionType=notamRetrievalbyICAOs |website=notams.faa.gov |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |access-date=21 January 2023}}