Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071204-01
December 4, 2007

Mosul Airport reopens for commercial flights after 14 years; religious pilgrims board Iraqi airplane for Hajj
Multi-National Division – North PAO

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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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it OR DSN 318-856-0218

FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS, CONTACT THE DIGITAL VIDEO AND IMAGERY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM BY CALLING (678) 421-6604 OR ACCESS THEM ON-LINE AT WWW.DVIDSHUB.NET <FILE://WWW.DVIDSHUB.NET>.

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071204-01
December 4, 2007

Mosul Airport reopens for commercial flights after 14 years; religious pilgrims board Iraqi airplane for Hajj
Multi-National Division – North PAO

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.

-30-

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it OR DSN 318-856-0218

FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS, CONTACT THE DIGITAL VIDEO AND IMAGERY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM BY CALLING (678) 421-6604 OR ACCESS THEM ON-LINE AT WWW.DVIDSHUB.NET <FILE://WWW.DVIDSHUB.NET>.