It is one of the country's main international airports, capable of housing over a hundred military and civilian aircraft.

[5] Sitting at an altitude of approximately 1,791 m (5,876 ft) above sea level, the airport is surrounded by parts of the Hindu Kush mountains.

Prior to the withdrawal of US-led forces in 2021, the airport provided scheduled flights to and from China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and the Persian Gulf region.

The most frequently serviced destination from the airport has been Dubai in the UAE, with no fewer than four passenger airlines flying the route, and some with multiple daily flights.

[14] The airport was used by the Soviet Army during the Soviet–Afghan War from 1979 to 1989, and by the military forces of the former President of Afghanistan, Mohammad Najibullah.

[citation needed] Following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks, Kabul Airport was bombed by United States and coalition forces.

[citation needed] In early 2012, the radar system was upgraded to cover Afghanistan's entire air space.

In October 2014, the National Assembly of Afghanistan proposed naming the airport after former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, a month after his tenure ended, in recognition of his services and contributions to the country's rebuilding.

This decision was approved by the Cabinet of the new President Ashraf Ghani, which renamed the structure as Hamid Karzai International Airport.

[4] The North Side Cantonment – Kabul Airport facility was completed and turned over to the United States Armed Forces in October 2008.

[18] A few weeks later, Kabul fell into the hands of the Taliban, prompting hundreds of people to flee to the airport in an attempt to leave the country.

[20] The Pentagon confirmed the head of U.S. Central Command, General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., met Taliban leaders in Qatar.

The Taliban officials agreed to terms set by McKenzie for refugees to flee using the Kabul International Airport.

Those titles include: "Life and Death at Abbey Gate", "Saving Aziz", "Always Faithful", and "Kabul".

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Sigrid Kaag, stated that her government was willing to support Turkey and Qatar in reopening the airport.

[30] Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid stated on 6 September that Turkey and Qatar were trying to restart all flights from the airport.

[35][36] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26 September announced that the problems at the airport had been resolved and asked international airlines to resume their flights, promising full cooperation.