"Afghanistan signs agreement to improve Kabul International Airport"

Friday, February 27, 2004

Afghanistan signs agreement to improve Kabul International Airport
Agence France-Presse


KABUL, Feb 27 (AFP) - Afghanistan signed an agreement to rebuild the
war-damaged and outdated Kabul International Airport Friday with the
assistance of NATO and the international community.

Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah signed a letter of
understanding, accepting offers of assistance from NATO, the World Bank,
the International Civil Aviation Organisation and other agencies in
completing work estimated to cost between 40 and 60 million US dollars.

The money will be spent on removing mines from ground surrounding the
airport, updating electrical and communications equipment, renovating
the terminals and providing improved air traffic control measures.

Kabul International Airport currently lacks the air traffic control
equipment needed for planes to take off or land in bad weather, which
results in flight cancellations and the refusal of all but a handful of
airlines to fly to the city.

"For over two years with little resources at our disposal and reduced
capacity due to years of conflict, our aviation institutions managed
with much difficulty to revive the defunct Kabul Airport," Dr. Abdullah
said at a press conference after signing the letter.

"The task has been a major challenge in itself and we need to update all
aspects of airport facilities and management by making them compatible
with international standards."

Dr. Abdullah said the new strategy for the airport would involve the
government working in collaboration with NATO and the other agencies in
rebuilding the airport.

"We hope to turn Kabul airport into an important hub for international
air transport for this important region of the world," he said.

In November, Iceland offered to take over coordination of Kabul
International Airport for the NATO-led peacekeeping force in
Afghanistan.

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