ORHA Fact Sheet - Civil Aviation

ORHA Fact Sheet Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance Thuraya Phone: 88-216-7744-1080 Email: orhapic@yahoo.com Civil Aviation Fact Sheet May 22, 2003 Overall Information Civil Aviation, which employs more than 1,200 people, is part of the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, one of the largest ministries in the Iraqi government Iraq has a bright future ahead for civil aviation, and Iraq has substantial real estate, infrastructure and technical expertise available. Baghdad International Airport alone has a seven million passenger-per-year capacity. ORHA is working with the Iraqi Civilian Aviation Authority to ensure key airports in Iraq meet international safety standards for commercial aviation, restore communications equipment nationwide to allow for civilian aircraft over flights, and facilitate commercial airline enterprise. SkyLink is currently under contract with USAID to assess the first three airports in Baghdad, Basra and Mosul so that ORHA can prioritize, fund and contract the required work. Currently Iraqi airfields do not meet international safety standards, and only coalition military, military-contracted and civilian humanitarian aid aircraft are allowed to fly in Iraq. Many of these flights into Baghdad – approximately six to 10 each day – carry humanitarian cargo such as equipment, medical supplies, and food, often from neighboring Arab nations. In addition to safety issues, other challenges in getting airports up and running include damaged facilities, customs control and security. ORHA is working to repair/replace needed equipment and facilities and to hire appropriate personnel to bring the airfields up to standards. This includes identifying Iraqi air traffic controllers, establishing the proper customs controls and establishing training programs. Flight safety issues are of particular concern. Those who fire directly at coalition aircraft or indirectly (by firing celebratory shots into the air) near airport approach and departure routes continue to endanger aircrew members and put themselves at risk since aircraft will return fire when they are perceived to be targeted. Such incidents only delay further humanitarian assistance to Iraq and resumption of commercial airline activity. Officials expect to begin allowing civilian airlines to fly over Iraq within a few months. This will provide a source of income to Iraq as well as allow for a direct route to and from the region. In addition, regional and international carriers have already expressed interest in investing in Iraq’s civil aviation future, and discussions continue with commercial airline companies to begin flight operations as quickly as possible. ORHA officials are confident Iraq will have a national airline, however the fate is uncertain for Iraqi Airways which employs more than 2,300 people and has not resumed operations. Of the company’s 23 aircraft, 15 were re-located to neighboring countries prior to the liberation of Iraq. Two of the remaining eight aircraft located in Iraq were destroyed during combat operations.