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06 May 2003

USAID Awards Iraq Airport Services Contract

(Agency says airports critical link to humanitarian aid) (370)
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a
$2.5 million contract to a U.S. company to assess and manage three
airports in Iraq.
Effective management of the airports is critical to the United States'
humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the country, according
to a May 5 USAID press release.
The initial contract awarded to Skylink Air and Logistic Support (USA)
covers airports in Baghdad, Basra and Mosul. The company also will
develop plans to provide airfreight and passenger service. It will
eventually turn over management of the airports to Iraqi personnel,
the release said.
Following is the text of the USAID press release.
(begin text)
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON
May 5, 2003
WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) today announced a $2.5 million initial award to SkyLink Air
and Logistic Support (USA), Incorporated to provide technical
expertise to assess and manage three commercial airports in Iraq, in
order to facilitate humanitarian operations and restore normal
transportation services to Iraq. The re-opening and effective
management of the airports is considered a critical link in the U.S.
government's humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the people
of Iraq.
SkyLink will assess and manage the airports to insure that people,
technical assistance, supplies, food and materials for reconstruction
enter the country smoothly. Three international airports -- in
Baghdad, Basra and Mosul -- are covered under the terms of the
contract. SkyLink will provide international staff with management
expertise to assess and operate the airports, vehicles and equipment.
SkyLink will also develop plans to ensure smooth airfreight and
passenger service and prioritize improvements necessary to insure that
the airports operate in accordance with International Civil Aviation
Organization standards. As the contract progresses, SkyLink will work
with Iraqi staff in preparation for turning over management.
The airport administration and management contract is one of eight
initial procurement actions issued by USAID as part of its overall
relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information on
USAID's humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq, as
well as the actual airport management and administration request for
proposal, please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq/.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)