Desperate Afghans still await flights to flee Taliban
PARIS: When thousands of Afghans hoping to escape the incoming Taliban regime were cut off from Kabul airport last month, many started searching for alternative ways to flee.
Hundreds made a daring dash for the airport at Mazar-i-Sharif — a city some 300 kilometres (185 miles) to the north on a route that had become punctuated with Taliban checkpoints.
Some managed to board charter planes crowdfunded by individuals and businesses, but many others are still waiting for permission.
“Several hundred more are waiting in Mazar-i-Sharif,” said Nama Vanier, from development and research firm Sayara, who has secured private funding for two Airbus A340 passenger jets for 680 Afghans.
