Nico, where did this journey start – what brought you to Afghanistan and PACTEC?
From 8^th April to 8^th May this year, I had the unique opportunity to travel to Afghanistan and work alongside the team at PACTEC, a nonprofit humanitarian aviation organization that has been serving the Afghan people since 1997. My personal connection to PACTEC runs deep. My father worked with the organization for a decade, and during that time, our family lived in Afghanistan. When I heard from a friend of our family who is working there currently that PACTEC needed experienced mechanical support, I felt drawn to help. Thanks to SWISS, I was granted a month of unpaid leave to travel to Kabul and support the team on the ground.

 

Can you describe what PACTEC does and how it operates?
Operating out of Kabul International Airport, PACTEC provides vital air transportation for NGOs, medical emergencies, and supplies to some of the most remote and inaccessible areas of the country. They maintain a fleet of four aircraft: three rugged Quest Kodiak 100s designed for short takeoff and landing, and one Pilatus PC-12, ideal for longer, high-altitude flights thanks to its pressurized cabin. These aircraft reach over 35 destinations across Afghanistan, from developed airports to crude gravel airstrips that double as sheep grazing grounds carved into remote mountain valleys.

The organization functions like a small humanitarian airline, run by a small dedicated team of expat pilots, mechanics, teachers, administrators and their families supported by a loyal and well-trained Afghan staff, many of whom have been working with PACTEC for years. This is all funded by a combination of single donations and humanitarian foundations like EHCO (European Commission humanitarian aid) or DEZA (Swiss humanitarian help).

 

What kind of work were you doing while you were there?
My role in Kabul was to help wherever needed in the maintenance and repair of the fleet. I had the chance to work on several significant tasks including troubleshooting and repairing landing gear damage on the PC-12, replacing a prop seal on one of the Kodiaks, and completing an annual inspection.

But it wasn’t just about wrench-turning – PACTEC places a strong emphasis on training its local staff. So I also spent time mentoring and passing on skills that I have learned on my way at SWISS. One moment that stood out was introducing a bright young hangar assistant to TIG welding. Using an old machine at the airport, we went over the basics and were able to build much-needed new trash cans for the hangar. A small step in skill-building that supports the long-term sustainability of the operation.

 

What did a typical day in Kabul look like for you?
Life in Kabul had a rhythm of its own. My day would start just after the first daily prayer rang out across the city from the mosques’ loudspeakers. At 4:40am, I’d wake up, shower, and catch the 5:30am shuttle that picked up all pilots and mechanics from their homes. By 6:00am, we arrived at the airport, walking past security as the sun rose behind the surrounding mountains. After greeting the team, we’d assist the pilots with pre-flight preparations. A warm breakfast – usually eggs prepared by the in-house cook – was served around 6:20am, followed by a short briefing. Flights departed soon after, and I would begin maintenance work, often with time carved out to train local staff on new tools or tasks. Lunch was a communal affair at noon, and the workday wrapped up by 2:30 or 3:00pm, after which we’d shuttle back through the city, sometimes needing a full hour to navigate the traffic.

 

What impressions did Afghanistan leave on you?
Afghanistan itself is a land of stark contrasts and stunning beauty. It’s about 15 times the size of Switzerland, ranging from the arid deserts of the south to the towering Hindu Kush mountains in the north. Rich in natural resources and culture, its tragic global reputation stems more from centuries of war than from the resilience and warmth of its people.

Despite the conflict and hardship, Afghans are some of the most generous and hospitable individuals I’ve ever met. Rarely a day passed without being invited to drink “chai Sabz” (Afghan green tea) with someone eager to share a moment of connection. These moments were frequent and genuine – reminders of the humanity that persists in even the most challenging environments.

 

Was there a moment that really brought PACTEC’s mission into focus for you?
One story that truly highlighted the importance of PACTEC’s work occurred on my very first day. A flight departed for the remote town of Fayzabad in northeastern Afghanistan, carrying a young boy and his family. Two months earlier, he had fallen into a traditional Afghan bread oven, sustaining third-degree burns across the lower half of his body. The local clinic in Fayzabad was not equipped to treat him, but PACTEC was able to fly him and two family members to a hospital in Kabul, where his life was saved. Now healthy enough to return home, he was flown back that day, ready to recover fully and rejoin school. It’s just one of countless examples where PACTEC’s mission has directly changed lives.

 

What did you take away from this experience?
My time in Kabul was both humbling and rewarding. It reminded me that aviation, especially in humanitarian contexts, can be so much more than a job. It’s easy to get caught up in the routine of inspections and checklists, but in humanitarian aviation, every action has a visible and immediate consequence. When an aircraft returns to service, it’s not just a machine that’s back online – it’s an opportunity for medical help to reach a village, or for a child to get a second chance at life. I’m grateful to have played a small part in keeping that lifeline running, and I return with a renewed respect for the people of Afghanistan and the dedicated team at PACTEC who serve them every single day.

 

If someone wants to learn more about PACTEC, where can they go?
There is an amazing 15-minute short film from 2011 on their website. It shows a rare video of the country and the PACTEC team at work, all while telling a very similar story to the one that I got to witness – of a boy being hit by a motorcycle, and the miraculous way by which he survived: Watch “On Wings of Hope” on PACTEC’s website.