More progress…
The Mosul airport is back in business.
(Photo from MNF-I press conference 12-4-07)
For the first time since 1993, commerical flights took off from the newly renovated Mosul Airport in Iraq.
MNF-Iraq reported:
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.
Iraq announced that the Mosul Airport will reopen for civilian flights last week. (Voices of Iraq & photo by Rocky)