Ariana Airlines

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The Company
Ariana operates in several countries, and is a very good company all things taken into consideraton. Its internal flights (as above) have some very real issues, but usually, when it leaves the country, its not too bad. Most incidents occur within their own country. Since my flight, they have downsized internal operations and only land at the two main Airports, Kabul, and Kandahar.

Ariana currently owns three ...
...24. The airline also leased one Boeing 757-200 for period of two years which will be used in Middle east and European routes. The Airbuses are configured to accommodate 232 passengers - 16 Executive Class and 216 Economy Class. Two pallets and 14 containers can be loaded in the lower holds and about nine tones of cargo can be carried on the aircraft.

Most of its aircraft were destroyed during the intense period of the war recently.
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This airline is nick named Scareiana for quite a few reasons. Before I get onto the technical sides of the company etc, lets look at my experience.

As this Airline doesn\'t need to comply with so many of the FAA laws, especially when not leaving its home boundaries, it simply doesn\'t bother.

Forced to use them for an important in country flight, I boarded a old decrepit 727 (Remember those - ever wondered where they ended up? Well, here!)

No real check in, no duty free, just a set of steps into the plane.

As I entered a tired looking Afghan guy handed me a life jacket (we were not crossing water!) and told me to sit anywhere. there were only about 10 seats on the plane, the rest was empty, bar a few goats and sacks of something or other, so I sat in the only seat with a complete seat belt and buckle.

Now you have to understand, this isnt the type of plane you will catch from Heathrow, its very Heath Robbinson approach has been the result of war etc etc.

The pilot came aboard and went to the cockpit, which i could see clearly well, as the cabin door was missing - this still had a curtain.

Now a 727 should be flown by 3 people, Pilot, Co Pilot, and Engineer. We had a Pilot and a Host.

A few other guys came aboard, one with his dog and 8 or so kids, and they mixed between sitting down on the seats and just sitting on the floor.

The engines started, and we taxi\'ed (Doors still open) the noise was really quite loud until of all people, the pilot shut the main door whilst the plane was still moving (dont ask).

No signal, no safety brief, just me clenching onto this life jacket as we went full thrust.

No inflight movie, no drinks, no food, and before I forget, no overhead lockers with oxygen masks, nothing, this plane was half stripped.

I went to the loo, to find it had also been removed, and replaced with a bucket with lid.

Eventually we landed at Sardeh band Airport (Which is a gravel runway for crying out loud) 3 tyres burst, and we went off the end of the runway onto the sandy stuff, and slid sideways just a little bit.

No one seemed worried, and the captain just opened the door after the engines had stopped and started to climb down a rope ladder, eventually steps arrived and the sheep and I left for our UAZ Jeep ride to the Arrivals Lounge (Wooden Hut)

Looking back at the plane it was at a 30 degree angle to the runway.

Doesnt sound real, but welcome to Afghanistan.

The Company
Ariana operates in several countries, and is a very good company all things taken into consideraton. Its internal flights (as above) have some very real issues, but usually, when it leaves the country, its not too bad. Most incidents occur within their own country. Since my flight, they have downsized internal operations and only land at the two main Airports, Kabul, and Kandahar.

Ariana currently owns three Airbus A300/B4, four Boeing 727-200 Advance Series, and one Antonov 24. The airline also leased one Boeing 757-200 for period of two years which will be used in Middle east and European routes. The Airbuses are configured to accommodate 232 passengers - 16 Executive Class and 216 Economy Class. Two pallets and 14 containers can be loaded in the lower holds and about nine tones of cargo can be carried on the aircraft.

Most of its aircraft were destroyed during the intense period of the war recently.

The Company is banned in the EU for major safety violations, and looking into its history, they certainly like to have a good old crash, including crashing into Houses after running out of fuel, and mountains after doors open and so on (Wikepedia)

So, unless you have to, or if you want adventure and dont rate your life too highly, avoid them!

My head would have been removed if I diddnt use their services, so quite frankly they could have bungee strapped me to the wing, and I would still have gladly gone, so long as I had my life jacket! 

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