Owais Crawford
Iraq has seven airports with scheduled flights, with the largest being Erbil International Airport, which serves 29 destinations across 15 countries. Baghdad International Airport, previously Saddam International Airport, is the country's largest international airport, located about 16km west of downtown Baghdad. It is the home base for Iraq's national airline, Iraqi Airways, which is the largest airline in the country in terms of scheduled passenger traffic and fleet size.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Iraq's largest airport | Baghdad International Airport |
| Previous name | Saddam International Airport |
| Location | 16 km (9.9 mi) west of downtown Baghdad in the Baghdad Governorate |
| Home base for | Iraqi Airways |
| Year opened | 1929 |
| Year officially opened to civilian flights | 2000 |
| Year renamed Baghdad International Airport | 2003 |
| Year civilian control of the airport was returned to the Iraqi Government | 2004 |
| Year of final stage of expansion plan | 2024 |
| Number of airlines operating | 12 |
| Number of destinations | 13 |
| Number of flight destinations | 50 |
| Fleet size | 40 aircraft |
| Number of airports in Iraq with scheduled flights | 7 |
| Second largest airport | Erbil International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Baghdad International Airport
The Baghdad West Aerodrome was made available for civilian flights of Imperial Airways on April 1, 1929. The airport was developed under a consortium led by the French company Spie Batignolles under an agreement made in 1979. However, the Iran–Iraq War delayed its full opening until 1982. Most civilian flights from Baghdad stopped in 1991 when the United Nations imposed restrictions on Iraq after its invasion of Kuwait. During the Gulf War, five aircraft, including three Iraqi Government executive jets and two Iraqi Airways Tupolev Tu-124Vs, were destroyed on the ground at Saddam International Airport by US or allied bombs.
In 2000, the airport was officially opened to civilian flights. Royal Jordanian Airlines operated regular flights from Amman to Baghdad. In 2003, United States-led Coalition forces invaded Iraq, took control of the airport, and changed its name to Baghdad International Airport. Civilian control of the airport was returned to the Iraqi Government in 2004. The airport has since undergone expansion plans, with the intention of doubling its capacity to 15 million passengers per year.
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New Al Muthana Air Base
Iraq's largest international airport is Baghdad International Airport, located about 16 km west of downtown Baghdad. The airport was previously known as Saddam International Airport from 1982 to 2003, during which most of Baghdad's civilian flights stopped due to restrictions imposed by the United Nations after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. In 2003, US-led Coalition forces invaded Iraq, took control of the airport, and renamed it Baghdad International Airport.
Within Baghdad International Airport is a separate enclave that houses the New Al Muthana Air Base. This air base is home to the Iraqi Air Force's 23rd Squadron, which operates three Lockheed C-130E Hercules transport aircraft and several Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft. The New Al Muthana Air Base is located within the airport, which is situated in a suburb west of downtown Baghdad.
The history of Baghdad International Airport is marked by conflict and changing hands. Initially established as Baghdad West Aerodrome in 1929, it became fully operational in 1982 as Saddam International Airport, named after the then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The airport's operations were significantly impacted by the Gulf War and the ensuing no-fly zone imposed by the US and the UK, limiting Iraqi Airways to domestic flights.
In 2000, the airport officially reopened to civilian flights, and in 2003, it was renamed Baghdad International Airport by the US-led Coalition forces who had invaded Iraq and taken control of the facility. Civilian control of the airport was returned to the Iraqi Government in 2004, and expansion plans have since been proposed to increase its capacity.
The New Al Muthana Air Base, situated within Baghdad International Airport, has played a role in Iraq's military aviation. It is home to transport and attack aircraft, reflecting its strategic importance in the country's defence capabilities.
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Sather Air Base
Iraq's largest international airport is Baghdad International Airport, located in a suburb about 16 km (9.9 mi) west of downtown Baghdad in the Baghdad Governorate. The airport was previously known as Saddam International Airport from 1982 to 2003.
Notable visitors to Sather Air Base included Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Nancy Pelosi. The base played a role in humanitarian aid efforts, and joint expeditionary task forces processed a significant amount of vehicles and equipment. Sather Air Base was also the site of a chilli cook-off competition named "The Last Battle over Baghdad."
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Erbil International Airport
The original Erbil airport was relatively small, covering 7,000 square metres (75,000 sq ft) and featuring a 2,800-metre-long runway. It included departure and arrival halls, three gates, and a cafeteria. The new airport, which opened in 2005, is located next to the old one and features one of the world's longest runways at 4,800 metres in length. The new terminal has duty-free shops, currency exchange offices, and VIP areas for business jets and dignitaries.
The airport has received positive reviews for its cleanliness, staff, and fast check-in process. It has also been praised for its modern design and the affordability of its restaurants and shops. Overall, Erbil International Airport is a well-equipped and efficiently managed airport that serves as a crucial transport hub for the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
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Saddam International Airport
The airport was developed under a consortium led by the French company Spie Batignolles. The Iran–Iraq War delayed the airport's full opening until 1982, when it opened as Saddam International Airport, named after then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Most of Baghdad's civilian flights stopped in 1991 when the United Nations imposed restrictions on Iraq after its invasion of Kuwait. In 1991, during the Gulf War, five aircraft were destroyed on the ground at Saddam International Airport by US or allied bombs. In 2000, two Saudi former military officers boarded a plane bound for London and diverted it to Baghdad, intending to claim asylum in Iraq. However, they were later deported to Saudi Arabia by Iraqi authorities.
In 2003, US-led Coalition forces invaded Iraq, took control of the airport, and changed its name to Baghdad International Airport. This was the first significant mark made by the allied forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, carrying symbolic significance. The ICAO code for the airport changed from ORBS to ORBI, and the IATA code changed from SDA to BGW. In July 2003, the airport resumed civilian flights for the first time since 1991.
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Frequently asked questions
Baghdad International Airport, previously Saddam International Airport, is located in a suburb about 16 km (9.9 mi) west of downtown Baghdad in the Baghdad Governorate.
Baghdad International Airport is Iraq's largest airport. It is also the home base for Iraq's national airline, Iraqi Airways.
Yes, there are 7 airports in Iraq with scheduled flights. The second largest airport is Erbil International Airport, with flights to 29 destinations in 15 countries.
