Kandahar International Airport ( ; referred to by some as Kandahar Airfield , KAF ) is located about south-east of the city Kandahar in Afghanistan . It serves as the nation 's second main international airport and as one of the largest military bases , capable of housing up to 250 aircraft of all types . The airport was designed and built by the United States in the late 1950s . It was occupied by the Soviets during the 1980s Soviet – Afghan War . Following their withdrawal the airport remained in control of Najibullah 's government until he stepped down in 1992 . Thereafter , local warlords and the Taliban took control of the airport until the U.S.-led invasion in late 2001 . It was also the site of the Indian Airlines Flight 814 incident in 1999
Indian Airlines Flight 814
Indian Airlines Flight 814
Kandahar International Airport