U.S. calls on airlines to help Kabul airlift

The United States has called up the “Civil Reserve Air Fleet” – 18 civilian aircraft from six commercial airlines – to help transport people after their evacuation from Afghanistan


Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) aircraft 

United Airlines 4
American Airlines 3
Atlas Air 3
Delta Air Lines 3 
Omni Air 3 
Hawaiian Airlines 2

CRAF flights
Will not fly into Kabul, but will be used to transport evacuees, after they have landed on flights from Afghanistan, to U.S. or third country

Military flights
Will concentrate on operations in and out of Afghan capital

CRAF HISTORY
1952: Founded after post-World War II Berlin Airlift. Voluntary programme involves pledges by airlines to loan aircraft to U.S. military within 24 hours
1990-91: Activated in support of U.S. forces following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait
2002-03: Used for Operation Iraqi Freedom – U.S.-led invasion of Iraq


Boeing 777

AFGHANISTAN
Kabul
INDIAN OCEAN
Example flight paths shown
1,000km 625 miles

C-17 military transport


Sources: Flightradar24, Reuters, U.S. Department of Defence
© GRAPHIC NEWS