First Commercial Flight Brings Joy to Iraqi Kurds

reuters ^ | 12/7/03

[knak]

ARBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - With a final victory swoop over the Iraqi Kurd capital and a waggle of his wings on Sunday, the pilot of the new United Iraqi Airlines landed his plane to wild applause - inside and out.

The landing at the grandly titled Arbil International Airport of the aging Boeing 727 marked the first time an international commercial flight has ever touched down here, and the symbolism of freedom from decades of oppression ran deep.

"This is a great moment for us. It has great political, commercial and social implications. It is truly historic," the city's public relations officer Falah Bakir told Reuters.

Local businessman Rizgar Kadir was equally gushing about the arrival from Abu Dhabi of the plane, which was leased by a newly minted airline. The United Iraqi Airlines was set up by the Kurdistan Development Corporation (KDC).

"The moment it touched down I felt something wonderful. This is a first step. But as we Kurds say, 'this is the first step on a journey of 1,000 miles,' may the other steps be as great and as happy," Kadir said.

The Kurds, long oppressed by ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein - whose forces used chemical weapons to kill some 5,000 men, women and children at Halabja in 1988 - say they have been undergoing an economic miracle since the northern Iraqi region in which they live was declared a safe-haven in 1991.

The Kurdistan Regional Government elected in 1992 has since built roads, schools and hospitals and says the northern Iraqi region now has an economy worth some $3 billion.

"This whole area was a military base for the Iraqi army. It was here that they planned to exterminate us," Bakir said. "But now it is ours."

Although relations with neighboring Turkey -- which has thousands of troops in the area -- remain strained, the Kurds are keen to entice a transfusion of outside entrepreneurs with the skill, money and determination to bolster their economy.

They are mounting a major public relations push to bring in big business from the outside world and show them the potential and - equally important - the security of the area which has not suffered any of the bombings or shootings seen elsewhere since the U.S-led ousting of Saddam nine months ago.

Their proudly named airport is a single strip runway in a sea of mud, and the customs post is a white prefabricated unit heated with an oil stove, with armed guards and razor wire clearly in evidence around the perimeter.

But work is pressing ahead to upgrade the airport under the guidance of American military personnel, and a bumpy 15-minute ride down potholed roads gets the visitor to the vibrant center of a bustling city where one million people live - complete with neon lights and traffic jams.

The Kurds are proud of their ancient city - dominated by a walled citadel dating back 6,000 years - which they say is the oldest continuously inhabited urban center in the world - and they want to show it to the world.

[cookcounty]

But...but...but..there IS no commercial air service in Iraq. Pete rGinnings told us so.

[Arpege92]

Hooray for them!

[Arpege92]

First airline for these folks....I wonder what they are going to serve on flights.

[The Bronze Titan]

Irbil is famous for its specific organization, as most of the city rests on a 30 metre tall mound which is made up of ruins from Irbil's long history.

HISTORY
Approximately 2300 BCE: Founded by the Sumerians, and the first name we know is Urbillum. It develops into an important communication centre, being a crossroad for caravans.

331 BCE: The important Battle of Gaugamela takes place near Irbil, where the Macedonian king Alexander the Great defeats the Persian king Darius 3, a defeat which lead to Alexander's conquest of Persia.

3rd century CE: Irbil becomes Christian.

340: Persecutions against the Christian population is performed.

1190: Irbil is made capital of the kingdom of Muzaffaru d-Din, the brother of Saladin. This status lasts until 1232. 13th century: Irbil loses its economical and administrative importance to Mosul.

1517: Irbil is put under administration of Mosul, with the Ottoman takeover of power of Iraq.

1925: Mosul comes under the jurisdiction of Baghdad.

1974: Becomes capital of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region.

1991 October: With the Iraqi defeat against the international forces earlier this year, Irbil becomes the capital of the semi-independent Iraqi Kurdistan.

1996 August 31: Iraqi troops seize Irbil, and when they leave, their man is put into administration: Barzani. This marks the end of Iraqi Kurdistan's semi-independence.

[Steve_Seattle]

Plaudits to Reuters for carrying this story, but will we hear it on the CBS Evening News?

[Indie]

Wow this is cool. Always glad when a new airport opens. I wonder how long until I can catch a flight in there? I wouldn't think there are any restrictions for Americans on travel to Iraq, other than it's dangerous.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, knak.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ARBIL, Iraq - With a final victory swoop over the Iraqi Kurd capital and a waggle of his wings on Sunday, the pilot of the new United Iraqi Airlines landed his plane to wild applause - inside and out.

The landing at the grandly titled Arbil International Airport of the aging Boeing 727 marked the first time an international commercial flight has ever touched down here, and the symbolism of freedom from decades of oppression ran deep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Freedom, ping ~ Q

[McGavin999]

Iraq and Afghanistan are both going to become tourist attractions in the very near future. All the American tourists who USED to go to france will instead be drifting down the Tigris river looking at all the ancient ruins and enjoying the thriving Iraqi modern cities.

[cardinal4]

But..but..but its a quagmire! -wringing my hands-

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[TEXOKIE]

Wow!

[68skylark]

This is great news -- good post.

[windchime]

Congratulations to United Iraqi Airlines, Kurdistan Development Corporation (KDC), President Bush and our brave military men and women for making this possible!

[ArrogantBustard]

Reuters really annoys me. "Grandly titles" Arbil International Airport? What's so freakin "grand" about that title? Let's try a few others:
The grandly titled Baltimore-Washington International Airport ...
The grandly titled Norfolk International Airport ...
The grandly titled Denver International Airport ...
Preposterous. If it's set up to originate or receive international flights, it's an "International Airport". Get over the snide stupidity, Reuters.

[blackie]

Freedom is a beautiful thing!