Basra International Airport

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The Basra International Airport is the second largest international airport in Iraq and is located in the southern city of Basra.

History

Construction

The airport was built in the 1960s and then developed in the 1980s under Saddam Hussein to an access to the only sea port of Iraq. This second phase of development was completed by the STRABAG SE in spring 1988. It is claimed that the airport was built only as a facility for VIPs and was rarely used. The 1960 finished airport is located near the city center of Basra on the Shatt - Al-Arab. The new airport is located about 15 km NW from the city center and was not intended only for VIP's. There were regular flights of Iraqi Airways to and from Baghdad ( before the outbreak of the war with Kuwait). The airfield has a separate small VIP Terminal.

Renovation

The renovation of the airport should go with a new terminal by a German company, but the outbreak of the second Gulf War in 1991 ended this project. Indeed, the development of the airport only after the invasion of Iraq in 2003 will be held

Several facilities have been renovated as part of the United States Agency for International Development. The project is broad and includes the construction of Towers and other navigation systems as well as the construction of transport and communication facilities.

The airport was re-opened in June 2005. The event was celebrated with the sacrifice of a sheep, as a Boeing 727 of the Iraqi Airways from Baghdad landed. That was the beginning of the airline between Baghdad and Basra. Nevertheless, many passengers complained about the lack of basic facilities. There were problems with the air conditioning and the toilets.

The reconstruction of the airport is to improve underway around the plants. Iraqi Airways already used this airport and here is her second center. The city is considered safer than Baghdad and Iraqi Airways hopes from here to organize flights abroad. You have at London Heathrow Airport requested a slot to begin soon with the flight operations.

The airport is currently in the process of civilizing and is part of the reconstruction of the country of Operation Telic of the multinational forces in Iraq. Nevertheless, there will still be a significant presence of the Royal Air Force.

Air operation

Airlines and destinations

  • Emirates (Dubai )
  • Etihad Airways ( Abu Dhabi )
  • Gulf Air (Bahrain)
  • Iraqi Airways (Baghdad, Istanbul - Atatürk, Dubai, Arbil, Sulaymaniyah )
  • Royal Jordanian (Amman )
  • Turkish Airlines (Istanbul- Ataturk )
International Civil Aviation Organization airport code IATA-Code Fixed-base operator Emirates (airline) Erbil International Airport Sulaimaniyah International Airport Queen Alia International Airport
339164
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