New air link vital for Afghanistan's
Economic Development

FRA/rap> Frankfurt Airport's (FRA) extensive network of flight destinations continues to expand with today's inauguration of a new route between Frankfurt and Kabul – currently the only scheduled air service between Europe and Afghanistan. Using an Airbus A300, Ariana Afghan Airlines will offer one flight per week from Frankfurt to Kabul via Istanbul (Turkey) and Sharja (United Arab Emirates). Along with this Wednesday service, Ariana Afghan Airlines intends to add soon a second weekly flight on Sundays.

Vital for Afghanistan's economic development, the new connection will be used primarily by politicians, military personnel, media representatives, staff from international relief agencies and businesspeople involved in redevelopment projects. Air transport links to the rest of the world are considered important for helping Afghanistan to rebuild and to create a new future of peace and prosperity.

At Frankfurt Airport, passengers of Ariana Afghan Airlines check in for their flight in Departures Hall C of Terminal 1. Fraport AG's Aviation Ground Handling and Logistics (BVD) strategic business division has been contracted by Ariana to provide passenger and cargo handling services. For more information, contact Ariana's main German office at: Telephone: +49.30.30889234; or its cargo office at Telephone +49.69.690.21064.

For More Information, Please Contact:
Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide
Attn: Robert A. Payne - Manager International Press
60547 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Tel.: +49 69 690 -78547 / Fax: +49 69 690 -60548
E-Mail: r.payne@fraport.de
Internet: www.fraport.com