Baghdad International Airport
- heliya erfani
- 1 month ago
Baghdad International Airport (BGW) is one of the most important airports in Iraq, located in the western outskirts of Baghdad, the capital of the country. This airport annually welcomes many visitors from all around the world, especially from Iran, and is the hub for Iraqi Airways and Fly Baghdad. It serves as the main international gateway to Iraq, as well as the primary base for the national airline of Iraq, namely Iraqi Airways.
It should be noted that from this airport, there are flights to Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Turkey, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, and so on.
By reading this article from the Sepehran blog, you will gain useful and important information about Baghdad Airport.
Baghdad Airport, one of the largest and most important airports in Iraq, holds a pivotal position in the Middle East region. This airport is an international airport and provides services for both domestic and international flights. Baghdad Airport offers services to numerous domestic and international airlines. It boasts comprehensive facilities and services, including restaurants, shops, visa and customs services, and waiting lounges.
It is important to note that due to the volatile security situation in Iraq, security during entry and exit from this airport is a critical concern, and travelers should adhere to security guidelines and obtain information from credible sources.
Baghdad Airport is located 10 miles, or 16 kilometers, west of the city center.
This airport has two runways and is a general passengers and military airport, situated at an elevation of 35 meters above sea level.
It’s important to note that this area is known as the aviation hub of Iraq and has an annual passenger handling capacity of more than 7 million. Currently, there are many direct flights daily from our country to this airport and vice versa, and it serves as a key airport for domestic travel within Iraq, connecting Baghdad to other cities in Iraq.
| Name of Baghdad airport | Baghdad International Airport |
| Baghdad airport website | Baghdad-airport.com |
| Airport phone number | 0096407901403537 |
| IATA code | BGW |
| ICAO code | ORBI |
Baghdad International Airport, formerly known as Saddam International Airport, is one of the most critical entry and exit points in Iraq. This airport was inaugurated in 1366 during the regime of Saddam Hussein. The design and construction of the airport were part of extensive development programs executed throughout Saddam Hussein’s rule.
The primary goal of constructing this airport was to upgrade transport infrastructures and enhance comfort facilities for passengers. After the occupation of Iraq by the United States in 2003 and the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, the airport’s name was changed from Saddam International Airport to Baghdad International Airport. This renaming symbolized the significant changes that occurred in the political and social structure of Iraq.
In the 1990s, due to international sanctions against Iraq, the airport was almost entirely shut down. During this period, only limited flights were conducted for humanitarian aid or under the supervision of the United Nations.
Following 2003, with political and security changes in Iraq, the airport witnessed numerous reconstructions and developments. These renovations included refurbishing the airport’s runways, aerial navigation systems, terminals, and other passenger-related facilities. Additionally, more effective and modern security measures were implemented to provide passengers with safer travel opportunities.
Currently, Baghdad International Airport hosts numerous international and domestic flights and plays a significant role in Iraq’s communications and economy. With recent advancements, the airport has transformed into one of the most crucial air traffic hubs in the region.
This airport consists of several terminals:
The airport has a passenger terminal divided into three concourses: A, B, and C, known as the Nineveh Terminal, Babylon Terminal, and Samarra Terminal, respectively. All three concourses are interconnected (Concourse Nineveh with Concourse Babylon, and the latter with Concourse Samarra). These are names related to ancient cities that are preserved in today’s Iraq.
Therefore, move is easy, and entry, exit, and access points to the building are easily identifiable. The concourses are located within the airport.
One of the terminals is used by Iraqi Airways, while the middle terminal handles other flights.
The airport features an equipped and covered parking facility, ready to offer services to visitors and passengers on a short-term, long-term, and hourly basis.
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Baghdad International Airport |
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| Airport code | BGW |
| Address | Baghdad International Airport is located 16 kilometers west of Baghdad in the western suburbs of the city |
| Phone Number | +96407901403537 |
| Transfer | Taxis and buses are available to take you to downtown Baghdad |
| Parking | Car parking is available at the airport |
| Time difference | UTC/GMT +3 |
| Website | Baghdad International Airport |
| Location | baghdad airport |
There are daily direct flights from Iran to Baghdad. These routes include:
In addition, flySepehran also operates a direct flight from Mashhad to Baghdad. The flight from Tehran to Baghdad takes approximately one and a half hours, while the flight from Mashhad to Baghdad covers a distance in roughly two and a half hours.
List of active airlines at Baghdad Airport (BGW):
| Airlines | Flight destinations |
| Iraq Airways |
Domestic Flights: Sulaymaniyah – Erbil – Basra – Najaf International Flights: Tehran – Mashhad – Beirut – Amman – Cairo – Dubai – Minsk – Ankara – Istanbul |
| Fly Baghdad |
Domestic flights: Erbil International flights: Damascus – Beirut – Istanbul – Ankara |
| Cham Wings Airlines | Damascus |
| Middle East Airlines | Beirut |
| Royal Jordanian Airlines | Oman |
| Jordan Aviation | Oman |
| Egypt Air |
Cairo |
| Qatar Airways | Doha |
| Emirates | Dubai، Baghdad |
| Fly Dubai | Dubai |
| Saudi Airlines | Sharjah ،Baghdad |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul, Baghdad, Tehran and Mashhad |
For traveling within Baghdad and generally throughout Iraq, it is strongly recommended to choose a secure means of transportation. Terrorist and suicide attacks can happen at any time and any place, potentially causing irreparable harm. Therefore, when traveling to Iraq and its surrounding cities, you need to consider safety aspects to ensure a safe and memorable journey.
More information about the transportation options at this airport is as follows:
Bus: Some buses operate from the airport to downtown. These buses travel from the airport to various destinations in the city center. Passengers can purchase their tickets at a kiosk located onsite. However, due to a lack of information about this mode of transportation and security concerns, we do not recommend using these services.
Taxi: There are many taxis available at this airport. Passengers can reserve a taxi before arrival. Given the existing safety issues with transportation at this airport, taxis are one of the safest ways to reach and move around the city. You can reach downtown in about 30 minutes by taxi. Finally, taxis are readily available right outside the entrances.
Taxi services at this airport are prepared to assist passengers 24 hours a day. Passengers can obtain information or book a taxi by calling specific phone numbers.
Taxi Fares at the Airport
Small sedan: 55,000 Iraqi Dinar
Minibus: 95,000 Iraqi Dinar
Transfers: If you prefer to travel independently to this airport and require transportation upon arrival, several transfer companies operate within the airport premises.
Security Concerns: It is advised to reserve a taxi prior to your arrival at this airport to ensure your safety. Regular taxis are not allowed within the airport area; only vehicles belonging to governmental agencies have clearance to operate within the premises.
It is recommended that you insist on paying your fare in cash, as most taxis do not accept credit cards as a form of payment. Moreover, agreeing on the fare with the driver at the beginning of your journey is mandatory.
Throughout history, the city of Baghdad has experienced many significant and pivotal events, now counting as one of the historical cities of Iraq and Islam. It has always been chosen as the capital of this country and, besides numerous historical and religious sites, serves as a highway for reaching the cities of Najaf and Karbala, especially from the western cities of Iran.
Another religious city in Iraq is Najaf. Due to the presence of Imam Ali’s shrine, this city is very popular among pilgrims. Therefore, the distance from the airport to Najaf is about 194 kilometers, and it takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Najaf.
If you want to go directly from the airport to Karbala, you have to travel at least a 2-hour journey. This distance is approximately 135 kilometers. After this time, you arrive in Karbala, the most important religious city in Iraq.
During the ISIS war, one of the most dangerous cities that was often attacked was Kadhimiya. As a result, many pilgrims couldn’t travel to this city. The tombs of Imam Musa al-Kadhim and Imam Muhammad al-Taqi are located in this area. In fact, Kadhimiya is one of the northern neighborhoods in Baghdad, about 29 kilometers away from the airport. With a 30-minute drive north of the airport, you can bring yourself to this spiritually radiant place.
Taq-i Kisra, also known as the Iwan of Ctesiphon, is one of the historical Persian sites in this city, chosen as the capital during the Sassanid era. This historical monument is located 62 kilometers away, south of Baghdad. It takes about one hour and 20 minutes of driving to reach this historical site.
In addition to the pilgrimage sites, you can visit historical places of this city, like Taq-i Kisra or Iwan of Ctesiphon. This building, located in the south of Baghdad, was chosen as the capital during the Sassanid rule. Many people traveling to this city do not miss visiting this historical site. This place is located 62 kilometers away.
If you want to book a hotel near the airport, the International and Palm hotels can be the best options for you. In addition to these, there are also many well-known hotels located in the city center, which we will introduce below.
| Name hotel | Distance from the airport |
| Al-Burhan Hotel | 2.4 kilometers |
| Coral Baghdad Hotel | 15 kilometers |
| Babylon Rotana | 15.4 km |
| Inter Hotel | 17.8 kilometers |
| Baghdad Hotel | 17.9 km |
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