IRAQ. Baghdad and Basra airports could be opened to regular commercial flights in early July 2004, according to Iraq’s civil aviation director Fakher Farai.
Currently, only charter flights operated by Jordan’s Royal Wings airline are available to Baghdad airport for civilians. It is still the military base and high security prison for the US-led coalition force.
A special budget has been put aside for a two-year development and modernisation plan. A new airport is also being built in southern city of Najaf.
The plan would boost Iraq’s reconstruction effort, but this remains to be seen as violence is still continuing in the country.
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