On May 31, the Kabul Times reported that Afghanistan’s Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Hamidullah Qaderi has unveiled a new plan to build 12 new airports in Afghanistan in the next five years.

The ambitious plan comes after an increase in profits from the Kabul aviation and transportation service. The service made $49 million last year and is expected to see a 20 percent increase in profits this year.

Afghanistan’s ground infrastructure is still rebuilding after thirty years of war and the rule of the Taliban. In spite of successful projects like the Ring Road, it is still difficult to get around by car in Afghanistan. Air service to Maydan, Wardak, Nimroz, Ghowr, Farah, Bamian, Badakhstan, and Khost will provide a faster more reliable means for Afghans to traverse their mountainous country.

The plan is expected to cost $500 million.