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| Iraq |
| Mosul Airport Reopens for Commercial Flights |
| 2007-12-04 |
| I guess this is good news. What kind of luggage scanning do they use? And do they 'profile' the passengers (only those named Mohammed can board)? 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. |
| Posted by:Glenmore |
| #5 Let's hope they schedule flights to Ben Gurion Airport. It would be a refreshing change. |
| Posted by: Eric Jablow 2007-12-04 19:07 |
| #4 Good to see they've turned over operations to a local, "R.C. Shackelford, provincial program manager in Ninewa." Next up are arrangements for TSA staffing and non-stop service to Heathrow and points west. |
| Posted by: Unerelet Dingle7050 2007-12-04 12:46 |
| #3 Can anyone say, "horrible flight delays?" Who leaves at 10:30pm to catch a connecting flight in the capital? I question the timing ... |
| Posted by: mrp 2007-12-04 11:37 |
| #2 Around 10:30 Sunday night staff here performed wonderfully, overcoming operational obstacles Can anyone say, "horrible flight delays?" Who leaves at 10:30pm to catch a connecting flight in the capital? |
| Posted by: gromky 2007-12-04 11:07 |
| #1 Another grim milestone ... |
| Posted by: doc 2007-12-04 08:57 |