KULOB, October 20, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Over the first nine months of this year, 18,000 passengers have traveled to Moscow via the Kulob airport, which is 4,500 passengers fewer than in the same period of last year, the Kulob airport Ali Komilov told reporter in Kulob on October 19.

According to him, the launch of their own asphalt plant has allowed resuming work on rehabilitation of the airport.

“Compared to January-September 2008, the airport’s incomes have increased by more than 1 million somoni and as of October 1, the airport’s net gains amounted to 505,000 somoni,” Komilov said.

One of the main problems facing the airport is frequent power disruptions, he added.  “Sometimes, electricity supplies to the airport are cut off for 8-9 hours without any preliminary notification that is fraught with serious consequences,” the director said.

According to Komilov, cotton-ginning factory, textile factory, some other organizations and residential buildings have been connecting to the power transmission line serving the airport.  To add to this, frequent electricity disruptions have begun.