Press Release

First Airstrip Opens in Zabul

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN  | Monday, October 02, 2006

The first flight from the new airfield in Zabul arrived in Kabul last week.  A plane from “PRT Air”, an air charter serving a broad range of organizations working on development issues, flew into Kabul from Qalat last week. PRT Air will continue to have scheduled flights twice a week. The completion of the first airstrip in Zabul Province will provide a gateway to further development, economic growth, and communication links for the Province.

The airstrip is located next to Zabul's main Afghan National Army compound. The Afghan National Army will eventually become the field operator. UNOPS was the implementer for the construction and the construction firm, Ubique, was the contractor. The construction of the airstrip employed 112 Afghan workers and 64 Afghan security.

This United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project was completed in mid-September.