KABUL (Khaama Press): UAE-based Holding signed the third and final contract with the Taliban administration to operate the three major airports in Afghanistan and made significant investments in their infrastructure. GAAC is now looking to modernize and upgrade Afghanistan’s airports.
Afghanistan’s aviation sector has faced many challenges in recent years. The country’s airports were severely damaged and many international airlines suspended their flights to and from Afghanistan. GAAC Holding stepped in to restore the airport’s functionality and safety. The company made an urgent investment of USD 641,000 in equipment, facility management, food for airport staff, ground support equipment and technology.
The investment included repairing the runway lights, installing generators, providing x-ray machines, metal detectors and explosive trace detectors, setting up a temporary terminal building, supplying food and water for airport workers, and procuring trolleys, tow tractors, loaders and buses. GAAC Holding also trained and employed more than 500 local staff to operate the airport.
GAAC Holding provides a range of aviation services, including ground handling, premium services, aviation security, and air navigation services. The company has been operating in Afghanistan since November 2020, when it was awarded a contract to provide ground handling and premium services at three international airports: Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat. The contract also included aviation security services at these airports, as well as Mazar-e-Sharif.
In May 2022, GAAC Holding signed another contract with the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) to develop, operate, and manage air navigation services in Afghanistan. The contract granted GAAC Holding the exclusive right to provide air traffic control, communication, navigation, surveillance, and meteorological services for the entire Afghan airspace. The contract also involved investing in modernizing the air navigation systems and equipment.
In September 2022, GAAC Holding announced that it would sign the third and final major contract for running Afghanistan’s airports with the Taliban administration. The contract would run for 10 years and would cover all aspects of airport management and operations. GAAC Holding’s General Manager and Regional Director Ibrahim Moarafi, in a statement, said that the contract would encourage major international airlines to return to Afghanistan and would bring economic benefits and job creation to the country.
GAAC Holding’s achievements in Afghanistan are impressive by any standards. The company has served 1.5 million passengers and handled more than 40,000 tons of cargo since it started its operations in the country. It has also employed more than 1,000 local staff and trained them to international standards. GAAC Holding has demonstrated its commitment and capability to support the development and transformation of the aviation sector in Afghanistan, despite the challenges and uncertainties.
Ghulam Jelani Popal, the deputy head of Afghanistan transport and civil aviation ministry has said the contract is valid for ten years to reporters in Kabul. GAAC already secured contracts from the group to manage ground services and security of the airports in Afghanistan.
After almost two years, GAAC has announced that Afghanistan’s airports are ready for international flights in terms of performance and safety – adding the company has invested $641,000 in facility management, ground support equipment, and technologies to improve airport performance. The contracts are anticipated to help the Taliban emerge out of isolation as it struggles to gain recognition from the international community.
Ghulam Jelani Popal, the deputy head of Afghanistan transport and civil aviation ministry has said the contract is valid for ten years to reporters in Kabul. GAAC already secured contracts from the group to manage ground services and security of the airports in Afghanistan.
After almost two years, GAAC has announced that Afghanistan’s airports are ready for international flights in terms of performance and safety – adding the company has invested $641,000 in facility management, ground support equipment, and technologies to improve airport performance. The contracts are anticipated to help the Taliban emerge out of isolation as it struggles to gain recognition from the international community.
GAAC to uplift Afghanistan’s airports to modern era
