Local Airline Hasn't Flown For Years

Afghanistan, that troubled country in the Middle East, is considering reviving its domestic  airline, according to the Afghanistan Times. 

The Minister for Transport and Aviation. Nimatullah Ehsan Jawid, told the Afghanistan Times that his ministry would buy five small planes from China to restore Afghanistan's former domestic airline company Bakhter which vanished during 25 years of war, first with the former Soviet Union, then with the Taliban. 

Afghanistan currently has a fleet of three Boeing 727s and two Airbus A300s for its national airline, Ariana, which connects that country to the outside world.

The State Department states in its most recent Travel Warning: "US Government personnel are not authorized to travel on Ariana Afghan Airlines or any other airline falling under the oversight of the Government of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, owing to safety concerns... Americans arriving in the country via military air usually have considerable difficulties if they choose to depart Afghanistan on commercial air, because their passports do not receive stamps showing they entered the country legally.  Those coming on military air should move quickly after arrival to legalize their status if there is any chance they will depart the country on anything other than military air."  

It's not known at this time what kind of aircraft are being considered, or what domestic routes are planned for Bakhter Airlines.

FMI: http://www.flyariana.com/