Kabul flights
 

Does anybody have any idea regarding good fares to Kabul via Toronto? I havent been able to find anything except PIA and none of the consolidators are selling the Kabul route .. any help is appreciated !!!

Unfortunately I can't help you, but may I ask what would draw you to Kabul on your own dime?

I actually get a lot of clients who want to go to Kabul but I haven't found many options except PIA .. thats why I was wondering if anyone else had an idea about this

Kam Air, the first privately-owned Afghan airline, now flies regularly from Dubai to Kabul, as well as within the country. I flew roundtrip in May, and the service was quite good on a 767 that appeared to be an old United aircraft, on board meal was excellent in coach (on a 3+ hour flight!), and both ways the flights were on time. Fellow passengers were largely aid workers and military contractors. The fare was $525 roundtrip, and had to be purchased through one of the three US travel agents listed on the website. Kam Air uses the older Dubai terminal, and you couldn't check luggage through to Kabul (as of last May - perhaps it's changed by now), so you have to retrieve it from your arriving flight at the new terminal, clear customs, transport to the other terminal, and repeat.

I think Azerbaijani Air and Air India might also fly to Kabul, also United Nations Humanitarian Air Services but you have to be an aid worker or similar for the latter. Great Game Travel out of the UK is doing adventure travel tours for the general public now. It's a wonderful country with incredibly hospitable people and amazing sights to see. BUT, one must be very "security conscious," and avoid certain conflict areas. This year I couldn't safely travel over the Khyber Pass to Peshawar, Pakistan which I was able to do on my last visit in 2003.

Both of my trips were in connection with NGOs doing humanitarian aid. I'm eagerly looking forward to my next trip.

Kam Air also flies to Dubai with a 737. It seems that the planes flown are leased. You might be flying in a 737 from a Turkish chartered airline or Central Asian (Kazakhstan) airline.

Safi Airways is also another new airline serving the Dubai<->Kabul route. Safi also owns a 767, but they also use a 737 leased by a Jordanian chartered company.

You should not expect "Singapore Airlines" class service, but the experience is quite good as the flight attendants from these airlines know what they are doing and were very pleasant and polite.

You should be able to book tickets from Kam Air and Safi Airways on their website. The fares have increased as both airlines have added fuel surcharges.

PIA flies to Kabul from Islamabad twice a week. Sometimes, however, the flight is cancelled. There is a PIA flight from Toronto to Islamabad.

Do not, for whatever reasons, fly on either Ariana Afghan. Many NGOs and western countries have warned against traveling in these two airlines because of poor safety standards.

Ariana Afghan flies to neighbouring Central Asian countries, Iran, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Frankfurt.
Daily to Dubai,
Twice a week to Delhi and
Once a week to Ankara, Baku, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Islamabad, Urumqi, Moscow, Tehran, Jeddah, Riyadh.

Airlines of destination countries would have similar frequencies, if any at all. Your best bet would be to build a connection through Dubai. Try Gulf Air, Emirate, Ettihad, or Qatar.