Lufthansa is helping to evacuate people from Afghanistan with one of its Airbus A340 aircraft. The German government has chartered the flights. The German flag carrier's aircraft aren't flying into Afghanistan but instead collecting people removed from the country to Qatar and Uzbekistan by the German military.

Since the weekend, the situation in Afghanistan has been rapidly deteriorating as the Taliban claimed the country's capital city, Kabul. Multiple nations are evacuating their citizens as well as those who helped them during the Afghanistan war. However, given the rapidly developing nature of the operation, it's proving to be anything but plain sailing.

Lufthansa joins the repatriation effort

Lufthansa is using an Airbus A340 to repatriate those who are being evacuated from Afghanistan by the Bundeswehr (German armed forces). Given the danger currently associated with flying into Afghanistan, Lufthansa will not be flying into the country to collect those being repatriated.

Instead, Lufthansa is flying to two rendezvous points where the armed forces are handing over people who have been flown out of the country. These are located in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Doha, Qatar.

Lufthansa, Afghanistan, Airbus A340, Evacuation
The first repatriation flight should operate tonight. Photo: Lufthansa

Having been contacted by the German Government, Lufthansa sprang into action securing short notice traffic rights to fly between Germany and Uzbekistan. Additionally, flight crew were rostered, and an aircraft was found for the flights.

The first repatriation flight will depart from Tashkent this evening. It isn't clear how many will be onboard the flight. In addition, Lufthansa will operate additional flights to Uzbekistan, Qatar, and other neighboring countries as required by the German government.

Getting people to the drop off points

As mentioned above, the German armed forces are responsible for getting people out of the country. The country had flown into Kabul using one of its Airbus A400M aircraft. The aircraft initially dropped soldiers at the airport to secure the evacuation operation.

It then departed to Tashkent. The very first evacuation flight departed with just seven people onboard. The decision to go was made as only seven eligible people were at the airport. This is a stark contrast to an American C-17 which departed with over 600 refugees onboard yesterday.

Lufthansa, Afghanistan, Airbus A340, Evacuation
The military is ferrying people out of Afghanistan, while Lufthansa is flying them to Frankfurt. Photo: Cirium

Since then, the evacuation effort has been ramped up. A Tweet from the government issued at 14:55 today revealed that 125 people were onboard the second flight. According to the government, this included German citizens, local Afghan staff, and others who need to be protected. These individuals will almost certainly be on the first Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt.

Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.

Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer revealed that a robust airlift operation is to be built. While German citizens are understandably the priority for the county, Kramp-Karrenbauer said that Germany would also rescue local people at risk, adding,

"The Bundeswehr's mission is clear: as long as it is possible to get as many out as possible."

Lufthansa, Afghanistan, Airbus A340, Evacuation
125 people were onboard the Bundeswehr's second evacuation flight. Photo: Bundeswehr via Twitter

Frankfurt is ready to help

As mentioned above, those arriving from Afghanistan will be flown by Lufthansa to Frankfurt. The city also revealed that it is ready to help.  The city's Integration Secretary Sylvia Weber said that as many people as possible should be flown out of the country to Germany, saying,

“These people are scared to death. It is not without reason that they run onto the runways or hang on to the landing gear at risk of death... We have a large Afghan community in Frankfurt, including many people who are currently afraid for the lives of their families. They should know that the city of Frankfurt is by their side."

What are your thoughts on the German Afghanistan evacuation effort? Let us know what you think and why in the comments below.