Mosul Airport reopens for commercial flights after 14 years; religious pilgrims board Iraqi airplane for Hajj
By Multi-National Division - North PAO
Dec 4, 2007 - 7:24:35 AM
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| Muslim religious pilgrims board the first commercial flight to leave Mosul in 14 years since U.S. military forces declared the city a no-fly zone in 1993. Around 148 passengers boarded the Iraqi Airways flight destined for Baghdad, and then continued on to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to take part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Dec. 2. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Patrick Lair, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) |
MOSUL, Iraq - For the first time in 14 years, a commercial airlines flight departed the Mosul Airport Dec. 2, carrying Muslim religious pilgrims on their annual trek to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Mosul Airport, built in 1992, had not seen commercial airline traffic since U.S. military forces declared the city a no-fly zone in 1993. After recent cooperation between by Iraqi and U.S. government agencies, and employing local workers, the airport was rebuilt with the intent to continue commercial air service to Saudi Arabia and other locations.
Around 10:30 Sunday night, 152 Hajj pilgrims departed on Iraqi Airways Flight 020, bound for Baghdad, where they were to board another flight for Saudi Arabia.
“The Iraqi Airlines staff here performed wonderfully, overcoming operational obstacles in stride,” said R.C. Shackelford, provincial program manager in Ninewa. “The process will only get better with each experience.”
“This is a significant step for the revitalization of the economy, not just (for) Mosul, but all of northern Iraq,” said Jason Hyland, team leader for the Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team. “December 2 was a great day for the Iraqi people.”
In partnership with Ninewa’s Provincial Council and Governor Kashmoula, the U.S. Department of State contributed $3.2 million to help renovate the passenger terminal. Other funding came from the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Finance.
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