Completed Projects: Airports
USAID’s Infrastructure Reconstruction program restored two of Iraq’s most important international airports.
As conduits for humanitarian supplies, commercial goods, or personnel, the airports at Baghdad
and Basrah serve as vital links both within Iraq and to the outside world. Since July 2003, Baghdad International
Airport (BIAP) has processed over 5,000 flights. Currently, BIAP services over 60 civilian
flights daily. Two airlines–AirServ and Royal Jordanian–operate daily international flights.
Two of Iraq’s three major airports assessed by USAID needed extensive rehabilitation, having suffered
decades of neglect and weeks of looting. As part of the greater efforts to rebuild key infrastructure,
USAID’s Infrastructure Reconstruction Phase I contract repaired and refurbished airports, seaports,
roads, bridges, and railways throughout Iraq. Beginning in May 2003, emergency infrastructure work
began to restore the Baghdad and Basrah airports, enabling both international airports to return to operations.
Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) reopened as a commercial airport in July 2003.
USAID and implementing partners also initiated a substantial operations and management (O&M) training
program, helping the airports meet international standards necessary to handle commercial traffic.
Technical specialists conducted a large-scale training and equipping exercise to prepare Iraq staff to
provide fire and rescue functions, training both on-the-job and at fire training facilities outside of Iraq.
Staff also received training on security and equipment handling procedures. Training, system modernization,
and some construction continued until February 2005.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Completed work preparing Al Basrah International Airport for commercial operations. Projects included:
- Rehabilitation of the airport’s wastewater and water treatment plants.
- Restoration of the runway, taxiway, and apron striping.
- Installation of two baggage x-ray units.
- Replacement of the perimeter security fence.
- Rehabilitation of control tower and building.
- Installation of toilets, passenger lounges, signs, and baggage carts.
- Installation of VSAT satellite and a radio communication system for airport administration.
Completed infrastructure work at Baghdad International
Airport for civil air operations, including:
- Rehabilitation and modernization of the Air
Traffic Control Tower
- Repair of Terminal C and administration offices.
- Construction of a security checkpoint and
240-car parking lot.
- Installation of VSAT communications systems
and 6.5-megawatt power generators.
- Repair of perimeter security fence.
- Restoration of substation transformers and
generators.
USAID partners also assessed the Mosul International
Airport and found the facilities in good
repair; resources were redirected to the rehabilitation
of the Basrah and Baghdad airports.
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