I can't imagine there were that many commercial flights anyway.
Er ... maybe not.
I read an article which says it costs 100s of dollars to take a cab from the airport to Baghdad. The reason being that the road is so dangerous.
Jihadi Airlines arriving flight on gate 1.
Virgin Airlines departing flights on gate 2. No meal service.
Only one way ticket holders may board.
More flights than you would think.
As a frequent passenger in & out of BIAP I appreciate the security concerns that led to the shutdown.
Another good reason is that the military aircraft do not have to compete for airspace near the fight.
Another beautiful fall day in Baghdad.
Regards,
LFOD
It was used to get civilians working here out on our vacations or emergency leaves. It was used to get materials into theater.
Believe me, this airport closure is a major headache for those of us here.
Actually you'd be surprised. DHL, Jordan and many others do fly into BIAP.
However, what you are seeing is the beginning of the end. Not for us, but the opposition. Despite the negative reporting, things ARE getting better in Iraq and now the government is acting on its own. The structures in defense, police, courts, government etc. are starting to function. The war is getting an Iraqi face, and many insurgents will find it hard to operate soon since they will not get the support from locals who see their own being blown up in these attacks. It's no longer the American Occupation which forces a curfew upon the people, but their own government which speaks in their language and understands their culture. Bush was the death sentence for those opposing us in Iraq. It will continue to be ugly for a while, but by 2008 when the next elections come around, even should a weaker more appeasement oriented President take office, Iraq will be so far on its way that a Kerry or Carter can't destroy it anymore. The fragility of Iraq today will have been replaced by robust structures that can stand on their own feet. As the media keeps redefining success and tries to see failure everywhere; it is actually this facet which is both our exit plan for Iraq and the ultimate benchmark for success in the larger picture. Success is not linked to a timetable, a specific person being caught or anything else. It is the ability for Iraq to manage itself. If Iraq succeeds as a republic, it will be no longer a safe house for terrorists, no longer be a threat to its neighbors, no longer force us to permanently station thousands in the Middle East in order to contain them, be our strategic allied by default against Iran and Syria, help a little in the stabilization of world oil production while wanting to consume our products. I truly believe that in just four more years you will begin to see the fruits of our labor.
Red6