DotM May 2025

Airport: ORBI - Baghdad International Airport, Iraq 

This airport was developed in 1979 but its opening was delayed until 1982 because of the Iran-Iraq War.  It saw great initial usage and was designed for 4 terminals, but finances and the Persian Gulf War of 1991 allowed just the first 3 terminals to be completed.  The airport was briefly taken over in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom but returned to civilian authority in 2004.  While greatly diminished, small arms fire towards aircraft during takeoff and landing is still a concern so most flights here come from other Mid-East nations only.  European and Asian airliners prefer to use Erbil International Airport located 180 miles north of Baghdad.

Each of BGW’s terminals are somewhat triangular reflecting a common decorative theme throughout the airport.  Internally each terminal is one large open air environment with the roof structure and lighting designed to give the appearance of walking under Iraqi date palm trees.  In 2010 plans were revealed to expand the airport with three more terminals and massively refurbish the existing three.  To date, only minor refurbishment has taken place and no new terminal construction has begun.