Umm Qasr Airport

Military Decommissioning. The airfield's primary function was to serve as a logistical airhead for the nearby US military base, Camp Bucca. When Camp Bucca was closed in September 2009 and its control transferred to the Iraqi government, the dedicated airfield was no longer required by Coalition forces and was subsequently decommissioned.

The site is no longer an active airport. An analysis of recent satellite imagery shows the runway is in a state of severe disrepair, with large sections appearing degraded or covered. The land has been largely absorbed into the surrounding industrial and logistical zone that supports the Port of Umm Qasr. While the faint outline of the runway is still visible, the area is now occupied by storage yards, industrial buildings, and access roads, indicating it has been repurposed for port-related activities.

The airfield, often referred to as Umm Qasr Airfield or Camp Bucca Airfield, holds significant military history from the post-2003 period in Iraq. Its primary importance began with the 2003 invasion, where the port of Umm Qasr was a critical strategic objective. The airfield was secured by Coalition forces and used as a forward logistics base to support the battle and subsequent operations. Its most prominent role was serving as the main air transport hub for Camp Bucca, which was one of the largest US-run detention facilities in Iraq. The airfield handled military transport aircraft (such as the C-130 Hercules) and helicopters, facilitating the movement of personnel, supplies, and equipment for the massive base. It was never a commercial or civilian airport and did not handle public passenger traffic.

There are no known plans or credible prospects for reopening the airfield. The region's air transportation needs are fully met by the much larger and better-equipped Basra International Airport (ORSR), located about 65 km to the north. Given the high value of land for the expansion of the critical Umm Qasr port facilities and the ongoing development of the nearby Grand Faw Port, it is far more likely that the former airfield's land will continue to be developed for industrial and maritime logistics purposes rather than being reverted to aviation use.