Baghdad International Airport
Baghdad International Airport, originally Saddam International Airport, located in a suburb about 16 km (9.9 mi) west of downtown Baghdad in the Baghdad Governorate. It is the home base for Iraq's national airline,Iraqi Airways.
was constructed with the assistance of French firms between 1979 and 1982 at a cost of over US$900 million. Then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein authorized the airport's construction and had it named after himself. As a result the airport's three-letter IATA code became SDA Designed to accommodate both civil and military operations, Baghdad International can handle up to 7.5 million passengers per year in aircraft of all sizes. The passenger terminal consists of three gate areas. These were originally named after the cities of the ancient empires that once existed in present-day Iraq: Babylon, Samarra, and Nineveh. They are now simply called A, B and C.
The airport also had its own VIP terminal, which had a luxuriously furnished and decorated lounge, conference room and bedroom. This terminal is a VIP terminal, to welcome foreign leaders and other people of significance.
Baghdad International Airport was once served by several international airlines.
1991-2003
Most of Baghdad's civil flights stopped in 1991, when the United Nations imposed restrictions on Iraq after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War. Because of the no-fly zone imposed on Iraq by the United States and the United Kingdom, Iraqi Airways was only able to continue domestic flights for limited periods. Internationally, Baghdad was able to receive occasional charter flights carrying medicine, aid workers, and government officials. Royal Jordanian Airlines operated regular flights from Amman to Baghdad. The Royal Jordanian planes were allowed to refuel free of charge in Iraq. This made this route very lucrative for the airline.
It then became Baghdad International Airport. The ICAO code for the airport consequently changed from ORBS to ORBI; the IATA code subsequently switched from SDA to BGW, which previously referred to all Baghdad airports and before that to Al Muthana Airport.
Inside view of the terminal, showing an abandoned and nonfunctioning FIDS (note that it still shows Interflug in the fourth row from the bottom) in front of empty check-in desks and passport control.
The current entrance to Baghdad International Airport, 2007
In 2003-4, the Bob Hope Dining Facility, a large, white, fabric-skinned, elongated dome, was located in the vicinity of the airport. President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to the Bob Hope Dining Facility on Thanksgiving Day, 27 November 2003 and had dinner with the servicemen present. The Bob Hope Dining Facility and all other coalition facilities on the eastern side of the airport terminal area were dismantled and removed prior to the 2004 return of the airport to Iraqi control.Terminal C, one of three gate areas, has been spruced up with new potted plants and polished floors. The duty-free shop has reopened as well. There are still renovations on-going throughout the airport to return it to its former self.
was constructed with the assistance of French firms between 1979 and 1982 at a cost of over US$900 million. Then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein authorized the airport's construction and had it named after himself. As a result the airport's three-letter IATA code became SDA Designed to accommodate both civil and military operations, Baghdad International can handle up to 7.5 million passengers per year in aircraft of all sizes. The passenger terminal consists of three gate areas. These were originally named after the cities of the ancient empires that once existed in present-day Iraq: Babylon, Samarra, and Nineveh. They are now simply called A, B and C.
The airport also had its own VIP terminal, which had a luxuriously furnished and decorated lounge, conference room and bedroom. This terminal is a VIP terminal, to welcome foreign leaders and other people of significance.
Baghdad International Airport was once served by several international airlines.
1991-2003
Most of Baghdad's civil flights stopped in 1991, when the United Nations imposed restrictions on Iraq after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War. Because of the no-fly zone imposed on Iraq by the United States and the United Kingdom, Iraqi Airways was only able to continue domestic flights for limited periods. Internationally, Baghdad was able to receive occasional charter flights carrying medicine, aid workers, and government officials. Royal Jordanian Airlines operated regular flights from Amman to Baghdad. The Royal Jordanian planes were allowed to refuel free of charge in Iraq. This made this route very lucrative for the airline.
It then became Baghdad International Airport. The ICAO code for the airport consequently changed from ORBS to ORBI; the IATA code subsequently switched from SDA to BGW, which previously referred to all Baghdad airports and before that to Al Muthana Airport.
Inside view of the terminal, showing an abandoned and nonfunctioning FIDS (note that it still shows Interflug in the fourth row from the bottom) in front of empty check-in desks and passport control.
The current entrance to Baghdad International Airport, 2007
In 2003-4, the Bob Hope Dining Facility, a large, white, fabric-skinned, elongated dome, was located in the vicinity of the airport. President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to the Bob Hope Dining Facility on Thanksgiving Day, 27 November 2003 and had dinner with the servicemen present. The Bob Hope Dining Facility and all other coalition facilities on the eastern side of the airport terminal area were dismantled and removed prior to the 2004 return of the airport to Iraqi control.Terminal C, one of three gate areas, has been spruced up with new potted plants and polished floors. The duty-free shop has reopened as well. There are still renovations on-going throughout the airport to return it to its former self.
Erbil International Airport
Erbil International Airport is the main airport of Erbil in the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in northern Iraq.
It is administered by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) under a special committee consisting of the Prime Minister, Barham Salih, and is one of two international airports in Kurdistan. The new modern airport opened its doors in 2010.
Currently, Irbil International Airport offers the least expensive aviation fuel in Iraq. It is more expensive in Baghdad even though a refinery (Dora) is much closer. As of 2010, the EIA selling price is 83 US cents per litre. In Baghdad, it is 94 US cents per litre. Iraqi aviation fuel is more expensive than in any surrounding country. Plans are being made for EIA to offer among the least expensive fuel in the Middle East and perhaps in the world at less than 50 US cents per litre
The airport was originally built at the beginning of the 1970s as an Iraqi military base. The airstrip was used as a military base until 1991 by the Baath regime as a result of United Nations Security Council establishing a no-fly zone over northern Iraq. After the 2003 Iraq War, the Kurdistan Regional Government took over administrative rule of the region. On 26 May 2005, the airport was given the ICAO airport code, ORER. Endowed with natural resources including oil, natural gas and other minerals, investment in Kurdistan is growing rapidly. The city of Erbil has been the recipient of foreign investments. Due to the growing need for safe access into the country, the Kurdistan Regional Government, under the leadership of then Prime Minister have invested US$500 million in the construction of a new and modern airport.
It is administered by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) under a special committee consisting of the Prime Minister, Barham Salih, and is one of two international airports in Kurdistan. The new modern airport opened its doors in 2010.
Currently, Irbil International Airport offers the least expensive aviation fuel in Iraq. It is more expensive in Baghdad even though a refinery (Dora) is much closer. As of 2010, the EIA selling price is 83 US cents per litre. In Baghdad, it is 94 US cents per litre. Iraqi aviation fuel is more expensive than in any surrounding country. Plans are being made for EIA to offer among the least expensive fuel in the Middle East and perhaps in the world at less than 50 US cents per litre
The airport was originally built at the beginning of the 1970s as an Iraqi military base. The airstrip was used as a military base until 1991 by the Baath regime as a result of United Nations Security Council establishing a no-fly zone over northern Iraq. After the 2003 Iraq War, the Kurdistan Regional Government took over administrative rule of the region. On 26 May 2005, the airport was given the ICAO airport code, ORER. Endowed with natural resources including oil, natural gas and other minerals, investment in Kurdistan is growing rapidly. The city of Erbil has been the recipient of foreign investments. Due to the growing need for safe access into the country, the Kurdistan Regional Government, under the leadership of then Prime Minister have invested US$500 million in the construction of a new and modern airport.
Basrah International Airport
Basrah International Airport is the second largest international airport in Iraq, and is located in the southern city of Basra.
Construction
The airport was built in the 1980s and then developed in the 1980s by the Iraqi Government department State Organisation for Roads and Bridges (SORB) as a gateway to the only port in Iraq. This second phase of development was completed by a joint venture comprising Strabag Bau AG of Cologne, Billfinger & Berger of Manheim both in Germany and Universale of Austria in Spring 1988.[citation needed] It is claimed that the airport was built only as a facility for VIPs and was only used rarely. Renovation
Renovation of the airport was supposed to proceed with the construction of a new terminal under German contract but the project prematurely ceased with the outbreak of the 1991 Gulf War. Actual development proceeded in the airport only after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Some facilities were refurbished under a contract by United States Agency for International Development. The project is broad as it includes building air traffic control towers and other navigational facilities, as well as the construction of transportation and communications facilities.
The airport was eventually reopened in June 2004. The event was marked by the traditional sheep sacrifice as an Iraqi Airways Boeing 727 jet landed from Baghdad. It was the beginning of a new domestic service in Iraq between Baghdad and Basrah. However, many of the passengers complained about the lack of basic facilities. Problems included air conditioning and toilets, as airport management is involved in repairs.
Reconstruction of the airport is still under way to improve the facilities. Iraqi Airways has already operated routes from this airport, and was its second hub.[citation needed]
The airport is also currently in the process of civilianisation as part of the rebuilding of the country as part of Operation Telic of the multinational force in Iraq. As such there continued to be a significant Royal Air Force presence at the airport until mid 2009 when No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing was withdrawn and probably disbanded
Najaf International Airport
Al Najaf International Airport is the airport serving Najaf, Iraq, and is located on the eastern side of the city. Formerly a military airbase, the facility consists of one asphalt runway 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) long and 70 metres (230 ft) wide. The airport is expanding to provide four departure gates, two arrival gates, immigration and passenger services.
On 20 July 2008 the Najaf Authorities hosted the ceremonial opening attended by the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki who stepped out of the first official plane.
The Najaf Governorate represented by the Deputy Governor Abd al-Husayn Abtan and Najaf Investment Commission signed a Memorandum of Agreement dated 24 June 2008 with Al-Aqeelah Holding authorizing it for one year to finalize the construction of the airport and five years subject to renewal to manage the airport. Currently Aqeeq Aviation Holding a subsidiary of Al-Aqeelah Holding is overseeing this.
The construction phase comprises the construction of the VIP lounge, Arrival and Departure Halls, Taxiway, Air cargo, purchasing all airport equipments including Ground Handling Equipments, technical supplies, Navigation Aids, Dining Facilities and lodging sites for employees.
In July 2009, Gulf Air revealed that they are planning on launching flights to Najaf from Bahrain International Airport.Flights are to begin on 26 September 2009.
On 20 July 2008 the Najaf Authorities hosted the ceremonial opening attended by the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki who stepped out of the first official plane.
The Najaf Governorate represented by the Deputy Governor Abd al-Husayn Abtan and Najaf Investment Commission signed a Memorandum of Agreement dated 24 June 2008 with Al-Aqeelah Holding authorizing it for one year to finalize the construction of the airport and five years subject to renewal to manage the airport. Currently Aqeeq Aviation Holding a subsidiary of Al-Aqeelah Holding is overseeing this.
The construction phase comprises the construction of the VIP lounge, Arrival and Departure Halls, Taxiway, Air cargo, purchasing all airport equipments including Ground Handling Equipments, technical supplies, Navigation Aids, Dining Facilities and lodging sites for employees.
In July 2009, Gulf Air revealed that they are planning on launching flights to Najaf from Bahrain International Airport.Flights are to begin on 26 September 2009.
Sulaymaniyah International Airport
Sulaimaniyah International Airport (IATA: ISU, ICAO: ORSU)
is an airport 15 kilometers outside of the city of
Sulaimaniyah, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
The airport has facilities for both cargo and
passengers. Sulaimaniyah International Airport
has three terminals for departures, arrivals and
VIP. The construction of the airport began in
November 2003, and it was inaugurated in July 2005.
is an airport 15 kilometers outside of the city of
Sulaimaniyah, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
The airport has facilities for both cargo and
passengers. Sulaimaniyah International Airport
has three terminals for departures, arrivals and
VIP. The construction of the airport began in
November 2003, and it was inaugurated in July 2005.