Fazlullah Wahidi, the Governor of western Herat province, announced on Monday that the province's main airport would be reconstructed with financial support from Italy and Spain.

The comprehensive renovation of Herat International Airport is expected to cost somewhere between four and seven million dollars, but the contract is not yet solidified.

Governor Wahidi said that he already talked with officials from the Italian Embassy, and on his surprise visit to Kabul on Sunday, the Prime Minister of Italy, Enrico Letta, confirmed that his government would support the airport's reconstruction.

He added that Spanish officials have also agreed to cooperate with Italy in the reconstruction of the airport.

The Herat International Airport, despite its name, does not support international flights. It is only a hub for daily flgihts to and from Kabul. However, with the new reconstruction, it is expected that the Airport would begin servicing commercial international flights.

"The reconstructed Herat International Airport will have a new runway and standard facilities that an international airport needs. We will also start work on service facilities for passengers and equipment needed for flight control towers to work at night," Mr. Wahidi said.

The Herat airport is one of the biggest airports in Afghanistan, located in Gozara district just 13 km from the capital of the province.