KABUL (Pajhwok): Abu Dhabi-based firm GAAC Solutions will provide flight services and manage planes at three major airports of Afghanistan under a deal signed on Thursday.
The flight guidance services deal also include equipping the facilities and training Afghan staff at country’s three major airports, including the one in the capital of Kabul.
Besides the Kabul airport, the firm will manage planes landing and taking off on two other airports in western Herat and southern Kandahar provinces
Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said at Thursday’s deal-signing ceremony in Kabul that the “strengthening of the economy is a priority for the government.” ”This agreement will have a positive effect on trade and economic growth of the country,” he added.
Acting minister for transportation and civil aviation, Hamidullah Akhundzada said that contract’s main goal is to develop air services for flights and provide services at airports.
Mullah Baradar said some time ago they signed a deal with the same company on provision of ground services at the country's three airports (Kabul, Kandahar and Herat) and after the deal, some international flights resumed to Afghanistan. He said the agreement had a positive impact on the country’s trade and economic development.
He said today’s agreement was for air guidance, services and development and providing facilities at airports.
Maulvi Akhundzada also said the agreement was signed after finalizing a negotiation process and air navigation services will be provided on a global level to the planes that pass through Afghanistan's airspace or land at international airports.
He said the agreement will ensure safety of the planes and generate revenues. Akhundzada added Afghans will be trained technically in the field, so that Afghanistan could become self-sufficient from this point of view.
Deputy Minister Ghulam Jilani Wafa said the duration of the agreement with the UAE firm was 10 years and during this period, the company will buy related equipment and train Afghans technically.
Meanwhile, government’s deputy spokesman Inamullah Samangani tweeted that some international companies such as Turkish Airlines, Fly Dubai, Emirates and others will resume their flights to Afghanistan.
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