Ruth Haines
Kabul International Airport, formerly known as Khwaja Rawash Airport, is located 16km away from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. The airport is the primary airport in the country, serving as a military base for various defence forces and as a hub for many Afghan airlines. The airport has a single runway and can house over a hundred military and civilian aircraft. In 2021, the airport was the site of a deadly suicide bombing attack that killed 13 US service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 16 km away from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan |
| Altitude | 1,791 m (5,876 ft) above sea level |
| Surroundings | Parts of the Hindu Kush mountains |
| Other names | Hamid Karzai International Airport, Khwaja Rawash Airport |
| Operators | UAE-based GAAC Holding, Afghanistan's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority |
| Military base | US NATO forces, Afghan Air Force |
| Civilian operations | Handles international and domestic flights |
| Capacity | More than 100 military and civilian aircraft |
| Airlines | Ariana Afghan Airlines, Kam Airlines, Safi Airways, Pamir Airways, Air India, East Horizon Airlines, Emirates, Silk Way Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Spicejet |
| Facilities | Free wireless internet access, a post office, a gym, a clinic, restaurants |
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What You'll Learn
The airport's history and name changes
Kabul International Airport is located in the northern part of Kabul, Afghanistan. It is one of the country's main international airports, capable of housing over a hundred military and civilian aircraft. The airport was originally built during the Kingdom of Amanullah Khan in the 1920s to accommodate the Afghan Air Force and Afghan Post. It was originally named Khwaja Rawash Airport because it was built in the area called Khwaja Rawash.
In 1960, the airport underwent modernisation at the hands of Soviet engineers. A terminal and a concrete runway were built, and the airport was renamed Kabul Airport. This era saw the influx of foreign tourists visiting Afghanistan via Kabul Airport. However, this period was short-lived as the 1978 Saur Revolution and the subsequent Soviet invasion in 1979 deterred international visitors.
From 1979 to 1989, the airport was utilised by the Soviet Army during the Soviet-Afghan War. Following the Soviet withdrawal, the airport was controlled by the military forces of the former President of Afghanistan, Mohammad Najibullah. The airport then became a contentious site during the civil war, with control switching between different factions. In November 1996, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, led by Mullah Muhammad Omar, took possession of the airport until the US invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001.
Due to international sanctions during the Taliban government, the airport faced closures in the late 1990s, with severely limited international flights. After the US invasion of Afghanistan in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Kabul Airport endured significant damage as it was bombed by US and coalition forces. Repair and development efforts ensued over the years, with the installation of a new radar system in 2005 and the construction of a new $35 million international terminal completed in 2009 with Japanese aid.
In October 2014, the airport underwent a name change to honour former President Hamid Karzai for his contributions to the country's rebuilding. It was renamed Hamid Karzai International Airport and retained this name until the Taliban's return to power in 2021. During the Taliban's advance in 2021, the airport witnessed chaotic scenes as hundreds of people attempted to flee the country, resulting in several deaths. The airport was damaged during this period, with repairs estimated at $350 million by the Taliban. Following the Taliban's takeover, the airport's name was reverted to Kabul International Airport.
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Military base and aircraft capacity
Kabul International Airport, located 16km away from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, is one of the country's main international airports. It is capable of housing over a hundred military and civilian aircraft. The airport has served as a military base for various defence forces over the past four decades, as Afghanistan suffered from various political and international conflicts.
The airport was originally built during the Kingdom of Amanullah Khan in the 1920s to house aircraft of the Afghan Air Force and Afghan Post. It was modernised in 1960 by Soviet engineers, who built a terminal and a concrete runway. The airport was locally named Khwaja Rawash Airport because it was built in the area called Khwaja Rawash. From 2014 to 2021, it was named Hamid Karzai International Airport in honour of former president Hamid Karzai.
The North Side Cantonment – Kabul Airport facility was completed and turned over to the United States Armed Forces in October 2008. It houses the command facilities for the Afghan Air Force (AAF) and includes housing, administrative, operations, maintenance and recreation facilities. The project included two new hangar complexes, a new taxiway, and ramps. The first hangar facility was turned over to the AAF in January 2008.
The airport has been the site of several attacks and deadly explosions. In 2014, the Taliban fired rockets into the military wing, damaging three helicopters. In 2021, a suicide bombing attack killed 13 US service members and roughly 170 Afghan civilians. The airport has also been the scene of chaos and desperation, with thousands of people fleeing to the airport in an attempt to leave the country after the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021.
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Location and distance from Kabul
Kabul International Airport, formerly known as Khwaja Rawash Airport, is located 16 km away from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. It is situated in the northern part of Kabul and sits at an altitude of approximately 1,791 m (5,876 ft) above sea level. The airport is surrounded by parts of the Hindu Kush mountains.
As one of the country's main international airports, Kabul International Airport serves as a crucial hub for both military and civilian aviation. It has the capacity to house over a hundred military and civilian aircraft, making it a significant military base. The airport has played a strategic role for various defence forces over the years, especially during the political and international conflicts in Afghanistan.
The airport has a single runway, which is 3,500 meters long. It features a new and an old passenger terminal, accommodating both international and domestic flights. The new terminal, built with Japanese investment, can handle approximately one million passengers annually and offers amenities such as free wireless internet access, a post office, a gym, a clinic, and restaurants.
Kabul International Airport is easily accessible from the city of Kabul, with a distance of 16 km separating the two. This proximity makes it convenient for travellers to reach the airport and for those arriving to access the city centre efficiently. The airport serves as a gateway to Kabul and plays a vital role in facilitating travel, trade, and tourism in the region.
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Terminals and facilities
Kabul International Airport, also known as Khwaja Rawash Airport, is located 16km away from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. It is one of the country's main international airports, capable of housing over a hundred military and civilian aircraft. The airport is currently operated by UAE-based GAAC Holding and Afghanistan's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. The airport has a single runway, which is 3,500m long. The southern part of the airport was handed over to the Afghanistan Government for civilian operations.
The airport was originally built during the Kingdom of Amanullah Khan in the 1920s to house aircraft for the Afghan Air Force and Afghan Post. It was later modernized in 1960 by Soviet engineers, who built a terminal and a concrete runway. The airport was locally named Khwaja Rawash Airport because it was built in the area called Khwaja Rawash. Foreign tourists began visiting Afghanistan via Kabul Airport, but this era ended after the 1978 Saur Revolution and the subsequent Soviet invasion in 1979.
The airport has both a new and an old passenger terminal, which handle international and domestic flights, respectively. The new terminal was built between 2005 and 2009 with a $35 million investment from the Japanese Government and can handle approximately one million passengers a year. The terminals are facilitated with free wireless internet access, a post office, a gym, a clinic, and restaurants.
In addition to the passenger terminals, the North Side Cantonment – Kabul Airport facility was completed and turned over to the United States Armed Forces in October 2008. This facility houses the command facilities for the Afghan Air Force and includes housing, administrative, operations, maintenance, and recreation spaces. The project also included two new hangar complexes, a new taxiway, and ramps.
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Attacks and security
Kabul International Airport, located 16km away from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, has been the site of numerous attacks and security threats over the years, particularly during the civil war after 1992. The airport changed hands several times during this conflict, with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan taking control in November 1996 until the US invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001.
In the late 1990s, the airport was closed due to international sanctions during the Taliban government, with only a limited number of international flights operating. Following the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent US-led invasion of Afghanistan, Kabul Airport was bombed by US and coalition forces. The airport then came under the control of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which began developing the airport's infrastructure.
In July 2014, the airport was attacked by the Taliban, who fired rockets into the military wing, damaging several helicopters, including the president's helicopter. This attack highlighted the ongoing security threats faced by the airport.
In October 2014, the airport was renamed Hamid Karzai International Airport after the former president, and it continued to serve as a significant military base for US and NATO forces. The North Side Cantonment facility, completed in 2008, houses command facilities for the Afghan Air Force and includes administrative, housing, and operational spaces.
In July 2021, the Taliban once again took control of areas near Kabul Airport, leading to a rush of people attempting to flee the country. The situation escalated with deadly explosions and gunfire, resulting in casualties among US service members and Afghan civilians. The US and its allies struggled to complete evacuations amid the chaotic and dangerous conditions at the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Kabul International Airport is located 16km away from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. It is situated in the northern part of the city.
Kabul Airport is one of the main airports in Afghanistan, capable of housing over a hundred military and civilian aircraft. It has a single runway, which is 3,500m long. The airport has a new and an old passenger terminal, which handle international and domestic flights respectively. The new terminal was built with aid from the Japanese government and can accommodate around one million passengers a year. It is equipped with amenities such as free wireless internet, a post office, a gym, a clinic, and restaurants.
Kabul Airport has been a significant location during Afghanistan's political and international conflicts. It was originally built in the 1920s during the Kingdom of Amanullah Khan and modernised by Soviet engineers in 1960. The airport has changed names multiple times, reflecting the changing powers in the country. It has been used by various defence forces, including the Soviet Army during the Soviet-Afghan War and the US-led coalition forces after the September 11 attacks.
Yes, Kabul Airport has been a focal point during the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. It witnessed chaotic scenes as thousands of people attempted to flee the country. Unfortunately, it was also the site of deadly explosions and suicide bombings, resulting in the deaths of US service members and Afghan civilians.
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