Kabul International Airport

Kabul International Airport دکابل نړیوال هوایی ډګر میدان بین المللی کابل
IATA: KBL – ICAO: OAKB
Summary
Airport type		Public/Military
Owner		Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation
Operator		Military of Poland (as a part of ISAF)[1][2] April 2009 - Sept. 2009
Location		Kabul
Elevation AMSL		5,877 ft / 1,789 m
Coordinates		34°33′56″N 69°12′39″E / 34.56556°N 69.21083°E / 34.56556; 69.21083
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	ft	m
11/29	11,482	3,500	Paved

Kabul International Airport (IATA: KBL, ICAO: OAKB),(Pashto: دکابل نړیوال هوایی ډګر), (Persian: میدان بین المللی کابل ), also known as Khwaja Rawash Airport, is located 16 kilometers (9 miles) from the city center of Kabul, Afghanistan. The airport is also commonly referred to as KAIA.

Kabul International Airport was built in the early 1960s at a time when Afghanistan was becoming modernised and catching up with the rest of the nations in the world. During the 10 year Soviet war in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989, the airport was in full control of the Red Army. Following the Soviet withdrawal it remained in control of the Soviet-backed Afghan military that switched to private militia and other regimes until late 2001 when the United States and allies invaded Afghanistan.

At first, Kabul Airport was only for the United States armed forces and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), a NATO-led peacekeeping force. After the removal of UN sanctions, in early 2002, it was finally allowed to be used for civilian airlines. The US military and ISAF (with the Romanian Air Force a lead contributor in 2005) run the military section of the airport and provide security there. The Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army are in control of security inside and around the airport.

History and construction

Kabul Airport in 1969

Kabul Airport was originally built in the early 1960s by Soviet Union engineers. Around this time in history, Afghanistan was becoming a modernized nation and catching up with the rest of the nations in the world. Many western tourists from places such as America, Europe, India, and else where started flocking to the country via Kabul Airport. This era tragically ended in late 1970s when the country began facing political turmoil.

The airport has been used by the Soviet Union's Red Army during the 10 year Soviet War in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989, until their withdrawal from the country. It was also used by the military forces of former President of Afghanistan, Najibullah, until 1992. It fell in the hands of local mujahideen forces for several years and then took over by the Taliban until late 2001 when they fled the city after US invasion of Afghanistan. Due to international sanctions under the Taliban government, the airport was closed in late 1990s, with very limited international flights.

Following the US-NATO invasion of Afghanistan, after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States of America, Kabul International Airport was bombed and destroyed about a month later by the United States armed forces. All the planes on the ground were also hit and destroyed by the pilots of the United States Air Force. The airport has never seen any development until very recent when US and NATO forces took control of the premises.

In 2006, the government of Afghanistan accepted an assistance package from the government of Japan to rebuild Kabul International Airport. The plan included a modern 35 million US dollar terminal for international passengers. Afghanistan's President, Hamid Karzai, and other high profile figures attended the inauguation ceremony.^[3] The new terminal was officially opened to international flights on 2 June 2009. The existing terminal has been refurbished and is currently being used for domestic flights.

Movements are expected to reach 100,000 by 2011, which is when Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air will receive their new airplanes. Also, the Afghan Air Force will receive 45 new aircraft by then.

Military use

Kabul Airport is the hub for the Afghan Air Force, which also provides security to the airport.

The North Side Cantonment - Kabul International Airport facility was completed and turned over to the United States armed forces in September / October 2008. It will house the command facilities for the Afghan National Army Air Corps, and includes housing, administrative, operations, maintenance and recreation facilities. The project includes two new hangar complexes, new taxiway and ramps. It is the headquarters and main base of the Air Corps. The first hangar facility was turned over to the Afghan National Air Corps in January 2008. The second hangar was completed in 2008.

A bomb blast occurred September 8, 2009, near the entrance to the Kabul International Airport^[4]. The explosion occurred at 8:22 a.m. local time^[5]

Airlines and destinations

Domestic

International

Cargo

Gallery

Aerial view of entire airport plus nearby mountains	Kabul International is the hub for Ariana Afghan Airlines	Kam Air is also based from Kabul International	Passengers boarding Ariana Afghan Airlines in 2006
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates at Kabul International Airport

See also

• List of airports in Afghanistan
• Kandahar International Airport

References

External links

Wikinews has related news: Afghan president Hamid Karzai opens new terminal at Kabul International Airport

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kabul International Airport

• Afghanistan's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation
• Karzai Inaugurates Kabul's New Airport
• PDF on rebuilding the airport
• UK Ministry of Defence Images of KBL