Pakistan to build Khost airport for Afghanistan 

An official statement revealed that the Government of Afghanistan has requested Pakistan to build a small airport in Khost from a Pakistani grant given to Afghanistan. The request was made by Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan Finance Minister and Commerce Minister Syed Mustafa Kazemi at a meeting with Shaukat Aziz, Federal Finance Minister. 
The meeting also examined other issues like Afghan Transit Trade, bilateral trade and greater cooperation in economic and social sectors. Afghanistan is seeking Pakistan’s help to link Chaman and Kandhar via Spin Boldak by train. Afghan ministers conveyed that the country was trying to get assistance from international patrons for the project. 
Aziz revealed that Pakistan would consider the request to build the Khost airport and the Ghulam Khan–Spin Boldak Road. He further added that Pakistan wanted to strengthen bilateral economic relations with Afghanistan. 
Both the countries have agreed to consider placing commercial counsellors in their consulates. Other friendly arrangements included fortnightly meetings of officials, bilateral transportation agreement, work on health, education and road projects and to resolve smuggling of drugs and wood across the border. 

Airports in Asia assure they will be prepared to attend the Airbus A380 by the time it begins operations in 2006. The all-cargo version of the aircraft will follow in 2008 with Emirates, FedEx and ILFC as launch customers.
Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer calls the plane Jolly Green Giant. The aircraft is 24m tall and 73m long. The A380 is designed to have 10-15 per cent more range, burn 20% less fuel, make less noise and produce lower emissions.
The first A380 is taking form in the Jean-Luc Lagardere final assembly line in Toulouse, France and the first test flight is scheduled for early 2005. The aircraft may be displayed at the Paris Airshow next June. 

As the deadline of the launch of the aircraft is approaching, few airlines are getting apprehensive about airport preparations for the first commercial flight of the A380. Airbus and airlines are monitoring the progress of airport adaptation measures. FedEx was amongst the 20 carriers who actively participated in the early conceptual phase of the A380 programme, to ensure that the product design matched the market requirements. FedEx is also working with airports worldwide to ensure airport adaptability for the A380. 
The all-cargo A380F which may begin operations in 2008 can carry a 150 tonne payload and fly non-stop for 10,410 km from Europe to Asia and the US West Coast. The aircraft is expected to be used more for long-range international flights.