Release A0506017f

Basrah International Airport opens to commercial flights

BASRAH, Iraq - After almost 20 years of sporadic flying and finally being grounded, the first Iraqi Airways flight landed at Basrah International Airport June 4 with the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region South.

The Corps' goal is to give the Iraqis a functioning civil aviation airport allowing passenger planes with passengers to land and take off, both domestically and internationally, according to Robert Vanoer, resident engineer for the Basrah Resident Office, Gulf Region District South (GRS).

“The details the Corps is involved in are critical to the airport,” said Vanoer. “The big piece is to ensure the terminal has air conditioning. Another big piece is the air control tower, which is 12 stories high and has no elevator.”

The airport's civilian director, who has worked there for 15 years, said he is excited about the changes and the fact that flights are now coming in and out of Basrah International Airport .

Note: Betsy Weiner is the Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region South.

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An Iraqi Airways 727 jet from Baghdad is directed by two airport employees at the newly reopened Basrah International Airport . The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region South District is providing the quality assurance necessary to ensure the work in and around the terminal continues and moves forward.

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Requests for more information should be directed to her at 540.542.1540. Email requests can be sent to her at betsy.weiner@tac01.usace.army.mil .