Baghdad International Airport (IATA:BGW,ICAO:ORBI), previouslySaddam International Airport from 1982 to 2003, (IATA:SDA,ICAO:ORBS) (Arabic:مطار بغداد الدولي,romanized: Maṭār Baġdād ad-Dawaliyy) isIraq's largestinternational airport, located in a suburb about 16 km (9.9 mi) west of downtownBaghdad in theBaghdad Governorate. It is the home base for Iraq's national airline,Iraqi Airways.
On August 17, 2000, the airport was officially opened to civilian flights. Minister of Transport Ahmad Murtada said that:
And we are expecting the arrival of aircraft. The embargo has prevented Iraqi citizens from using the airport for 10 years. There is no international resolution banning flights to Iraq. It is a US-British-Zionist decision that is neither lawful, humane nor fair.
Inside view of the deserted Samarra Blue terminal 3 terminal in 2003, showing a nonfunctionalFIDS (note the red and white icon for the long-defunctEast German airlineInterflug on the fourth row from the bottom, a legacy ofthe invasion of Kuwait), in front of emptycheck-in desks and passport controlA military helicopter flying over the airport, 2003
In 2003,United States-led Coalition forcesinvaded Iraq. In early April, they moved into Baghdad, took control of the airport, and changed its name to Baghdad International Airport.[7] TheICAO code for the airport consequently changed from ORBS to ORBI. TheIATA code also changed from SDA to BGW, which had previously referred to all Baghdad airports, and before that toAl Muthana Airport when Saddam Hussein was in power.
In July 2003, the airport resumed civilian flights for the first time since 1991.[5]
Babylon Terminal, Baghdad International Airport in 2022
Sather Air Base – the American base on the west side of the airport – came under periodic rocket fire from Baghdad. On 6 December 2006, a 107mm rocket attack landed 30 yards (27 meters) from a parkedC-5A aircraft, puncturing it with scores of shrapnel holes.[citation needed]
Terminal C was refreshed with three active gate areas for carriers operating from the airport.[citation needed]
Baghdad Airport Road, connecting the airport to theGreen Zone, once a dangerous route full ofIEDs, was refurbished in 2014 with palm trees, manicured lawns, and a fountain, withTurkish assistance.[8]
On 1 May 2023, the Iraqi government underMohammed Shia' Al Sudani approved plans to enhance services with the intention of launching an expansion project in the development of Baghdad Airport in the second half of 2023. In 2024, the airport reached the final stage of its expansion plan, according to theInternational Finance Corporation.
On 18 May 2010, plans were unveiled for an expansion of Baghdad International Airport, doubling its capacity to 15 million passengers per year. The expansion, to be funded by foreign investors, was to include construction of three new terminals and refurbishment of the existing three, each of which would accommodate 2.5 million passengers annually.[11]
In February 1991, five aircraft, comprising three Iraqi Governmentexecutive jets, plus two Iraqi AirwaysTupolev Tu-124Vs (YI-AEL and YI-AEY), were destroyed on the ground at Saddam International Airport by US or allied bombs during theGulf War.[42][43][44][45][46]
In June 2000, two Saudi former military officers boarded a plane bound for London and diverted it to Baghdad. They wanted to claim asylum in Iraq, but Iraqi authorities later deported them to Saudi Arabia.[47]
On 22 November 2003, aEuropean Air TransportAirbus A300B4 freighter, registeredOO-DLL, operating on behalf ofDHL Aviation, was hit by anSA-14 'Grail' missile shortly after takeoff. The airplane lost hydraulic pressure, causing a loss of control. After extending the landing gear to create more drag, the crew piloted the plane using differences in engine thrust and landed the plane with minimal further damage. All three crew survived. After the incident, civilian planes took to routinely performingcorkscrew landings to minimise the risk of being hit by surface weapons.[48]
On 26 January 2015, aFlydubaiBoeing 737-800 flying fromDubai to Baghdad with 154 passengers on board was hit bysmall-arms fire on approach to Baghdad International Airport. The plane landed safely.[49] One passenger was injured when at least three bullets struck the plane. After the incident,UAE carriersFlyDubai andEmirates suspended their flights fromDubai to Baghdad. Flights byTurkish Airlines andRoyal Jordanian were also temporarily suspended.[17]
^Great Britain. Colonial Office; League of Nations. Council (1927).Iraq, Report on Iraq Administration (in Maltese). H.M. Stationery Office. p. 3-PA114. Retrieved29 July 2024.
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