Basra International Airport

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Basra International Airport

IATA: BSR – ICAO: ORMM
Summary
Airport type Military/Public
Operator Iraqi Government/Royal Air Force
Serves Basra
Elevation AMSL 11 ft / 3 m
Coordinates 30°32′57″N 047°39′44″E / 30.54917, 47.66222
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
14/32 13,124 4,000 Concrete

Basrah International Airport (IATA: BSRICAO: ORMM) is the second largest international airport in Iraq, and is located in the southern city of Basra.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Construction

The airport was built in the 1960s and then developed in the 1980s by Saddam Hussein as a gateway to the only port in Iraq. This second phase of development was completed by Strabag in Spring 1988[1]. It is claimed that the airport was built only as a facility for VIPs and was only used rarely.

[edit] 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 2005. 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 is its second hub. As the city is considered to be safer than Baghdad, Iraqi Airways are hoping to operate foreign flights to the country. They have applied for slots at London Heathrow Airport which they wish to start service to soon.

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 continues to be a significant Royal Air Force presence at the airport.

[edit] Air traffic

GND 121.7 MHz,303.275 MHz
TWR 118.7 MHz,241.175 MHz
APP 119.4 MHz,123.1 MHz,233.225 MHz
ATIS 125.9 MHz,241.175 MHz

[edit] Airlines and destinations

[edit] References

[edit] External links