DUSHANBE, September 3, 2010, Asia-Plus -- On Friday September 3, President Emomali Rahmon attended an official ceremony of opening of the renovated Ayni airfield belonging to the Ministry of Defense (MoD).

The Ayni airfield is located in Hissar district, just some ten kilometers west of Dushanbe.  It was used as a military base during the Soviet era, but its infrastructure has deteriorated significantly since then.  The airfield was renovated in mid 2000s under financial support and technical assistance of India.

According to presidential press service, some 70 million U.S. dollars have been spent by the Tajik and Indian sides for rehabilitation of the airfield.  After renovation, the Ayni airfield that has a 3200-meter runway may accept any type of aircraft, the source said.