Estonia Gives Safety Equipment to Apron Service Team of Kabul Civilian Airport
27.11.2008
On Tuesday, 25 November, Estonian Charge d’Affaires in Afghanistan Daniel Erik Schaer, along with the Estonian military airport apron service team, presented Kabul’s civilian airport with safety equipment that will help to co-ordinate the movement of flight vehicles on the ground.
The equipment was procured through a joint development co-operation project carried out by the Estonian Foreign Ministry and the non-profit organisation Air Base Officers’ Collective (MTÜ Lennubaasi Ohvitseride Kogu), which cost a total of 42 000 kroons. The leader of the project was the head of the apron service team at Kabul International Airport, Senior Sergeant Major Kaido Külasalu.
The goal of the project is to improve the operational capabilities of Kabul’s civilian airport and increase the safety on the ground at the airport. The local members of the airport’s apron service team were given electron top-lights to affix to the roofs of cars, reflective vests, directing sticks, and sets of car stickers reading “FOLLOW ME” and “KABUL AIRPORT”.
Estonian Charge d’Affaires Daniel Erik Schaer stated that Kabul Airport is under a lot of strain due to the comprehensive rebuilding of Afghanistan, and they recently opened a new terminal that is being used to fly 26 000 people on their pilgrimages, or hajjis. Regularly scheduled airliners, civilian and charter planes, and transport flights all land at Kabul Airport. “Adopting the use of quality safety equipment will help to improve the quality of service at the airport, and will also motivate local officials to organise their work better and further develop safety-related sectors at the airport,” said Schaer. With the current project, Estonia is contributing to the safety of Kabul International Airport and increasing the capabilities of the airport.
Afghanistan is one of Estonia’s priority development co-operation partners. Since September 2006, an Estonian civilian representative has worked in Afghanistan, organising the implementation of development co-operation projects there. Starting in March of this year, an Estonian medical expert has been co-ordinating the development of the health care sector in Helmand province.
