Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base
Baghdad, Iraq
Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base
Iraq's primary international gateway serving the capital Baghdad.
- ›Originally named Saddam International Airport before being renamed after the 2003 invasion.
- ›The airport was seized by US forces in April 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- ›It shares airspace and grounds with New Al Muthana Air Base, a military installation.
- ›Located approximately 16 kilometers west of central Baghdad.
- ›The airport experienced closures and damage during the 2003 Iraq War and subsequent instability.
Baghdad International Airport, formerly known as Saddam International Airport, is Iraq's principal aviation hub serving the capital city of Baghdad. Opened in 1982, it underwent significant reconstruction following the 2003 conflict and has been progressively modernized to handle growing passenger and cargo traffic. As the busiest airport in Iraq, it serves as the main entry point for international travelers, diplomats, aid workers, and business visitors to the country.
- Terminal 1 (International Terminal) — Handles the majority of international arrivals and departures with immigration, customs, and duty-free facilities.
- Terminal 2 (Domestic Terminal) — Serves domestic Iraqi routes including Basra, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Najaf.
- New Al Muthana Air Base — Adjacent military airfield sharing infrastructure with the civilian airport complex.
- Taxi services available at designated ranks outside the arrivals hall
- App-based ride-hailing services such as Careem operate in Baghdad
- Private car hire arranged through hotels or travel agencies
- Airport shuttle buses connecting to central Baghdad districts
- Car rental desks available within the terminal building
- Baghdad Hotel
- Babylon Warwick Hotel
- Al Rasheed Hotel
- Cristal Hotel Baghdad
- Mansour Hotel Baghdad
Inside the terminal, passengers will find a limited selection of cafes and fast-food outlets offering Arabic cuisine, sandwiches, and beverages. Options expand considerably once airside, though the overall food and beverage offering remains modest compared to regional hubs. Outside the airport perimeter, Baghdad's Mansour and Karrada districts offer a wide variety of traditional Iraqi restaurants serving dishes such as masgouf grilled fish and kebabs.
- Arrive at least three hours before international flights as security screening and documentation checks can be lengthy.
- Carry printed copies of all travel documents including visas, as digital copies may not always be accepted at checkpoints.
- Exchange currency at airport banks or official bureaux de change rather than informal sources; US dollars are widely accepted.
- Confirm your hotel or host's pickup arrangements in advance, as the area outside arrivals can be congested and difficult to navigate for first-time visitors.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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