Flight 020 to Baghdad
The U.S. Embassy and Multi-National Forces -Iraq would like to congratulate our Iraqi partners for successfully reopening Mosul Airport, with the inauguration of a flight of Hajj pilgrims. Through the tireless hard work of many Iraqis, and with the support of American partners, Mosul Airport processed its first commercial passenger operation since 1993. Iraqi Airways (IAW) Flight 019 landed at 1730 December 2 and 152 Hajj Pilgrims were processed and boarded. At 2230 Iraqi Airways Flight 020 departed Mosul bound for Baghdad where the pilgrims will transfer to a flight to Saudi Arabia. A second flight departed December 3, and Hajj flights are continuing throughout December and January.
“Everyone on the tarmac clapped and cheered as Flight 19 pulled up to the terminal,” said Jason Hyland, Ninewa (Mosul) Provincial Reconstruction Team Leader. “This is a significant step for the revitalization of the economy of not just Mosul, but all of northern Iraq. 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 spent $10.3 million on aviation equipment and the new air traffic control tower and $3.2 million dollars to help renovate the passenger terminal, which is owned by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority.
