Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base (BGW)
Baghdad, IQ 🇮🇶 Large International Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
ORBI
IATA
BGW
Elevation
114 ft
Region
IQ-BG
Local Time
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GPS Code: ORBI
Local Code: Not available
Location: 33.262501° N, 44.2346° E
Continent: Asia
Type: Large International Airport
Keywords: SDA BIAP VBC ORBS Camp Sather Saddam International Airport Al Anbar Airport
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
Recent traveler sentiment regarding Baghdad International Airport (BGW) / New Al Muthana Air Base is mixed, with some highlighting functional aspects while others express significant dissatisfaction, particularly concerning cleanliness and the overall experience. While there are ongoing efforts and future plans for modernization and service enhancement, recent reviews still point to several challenges for passengers.
What Travelers Love
- Functional Infrastructure: The airport is generally described as a reasonably modern building that "works without too much hassle".
- Linked Terminals: There are three linked terminals (Nineveh, Babylon, Samarra) that travelers can easily walk between both airside and landside, simplifying navigation.
- Essential Landside Facilities: Travelers can find mobile phone companies, ATMs, and currency exchange services landside.
- Improved Transit Hall: The transit hall for departures is noted to be "much better than arrival hall," offering enough seating, good air conditioning, and a peaceful environment with some shops and restaurants.
- Ongoing Modernization Efforts: The Ministry of Transport is committed to comprehensive development and rehabilitation, including renovating gardens, floors, and ceilings, aiming to enhance infrastructure and elevate service quality.
Common Complaints
- Intense Security Procedures: Travelers frequently report "severe security measures" involving multiple checkpoints, including baggage checks with dogs, necessitating arrival 4-5 hours before departure.
- Poor Cleanliness: Restrooms are a significant point of contention, described as "grim," "horrible," and even the "filthiest bathroom" by recent travelers. There were also complaints about carpets not being washed for years.
- Slow Immigration and Customs: While immigration is operational, it can be "not so fast" and "a bit slow," contributing to potential delays. Passport control wait times are estimated at around 8 minutes, while security wait times are estimated at 29 minutes.
- Challenging Transportation Connections: Leaving the airport terminal often requires special buses or cars that drop passengers in a separate area where they then need to find a taxi. Taxis may overcharge foreigners, and public buses are generally not recommended for safety, hygiene, or comfort.
- Limited Airside Capacity: Some older reviews noted limited capacity airside, which could lead to crowding.
- Poor Food Quality: One 2023 review explicitly mentioned "appalling" food and "bad quality dates."
- Overall Low Satisfaction: Baghdad Airport generally receives low ratings from travelers, indicating weak service compared to other airports.
Overall, Baghdad International Airport appears to be undergoing a period of transition, with noticeable efforts towards modernization. However, current traveler experiences often highlight significant issues with cleanliness, the intensity of security processes, and inefficiencies in ground transportation, contributing to a generally mixed to negative sentiment despite recent positive developments in infrastructure and facilities.
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Airport Routes
Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base (BGW) offers 55 flight routes operated by 10 airlines. Major carriers include Iraqi Airways, Turkish Airlines, Royal Jordanian and others. Popular destinations from Baghdad include Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l, Imam Khomeini Int'l, Istanbul Airport, Cairo Int'l and Dubai Int'l.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
- Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l (SAW) 5
- Imam Khomeini Int'l (IKA) 4
- Istanbul Airport (IST) 4
- Cairo Int'l (CAI) 3
- Dubai Int'l (DXB) 3
- Mashhad Int'l (Shahid Hashemi Nejad) (MHD) 3
- Beirut Air Base/Rafic Hariri Int'l (Beirut Int'l) (BEY) 3
- Sharjah Int'l (SHJ) 2
- Erbil Int'l (EBL) 2
- Queen Alia Int'l (AMM) 2
- Al Maktoum Int'l (DWC) 2
- Samsun (SZF) 1
Newly Discovered
- Damascus Int'l (DAM) new
- Sulaymaniyah International Airport (ISU) new
- Basrah Int'l (BSR) new
- Queen Alia Int'l (AMM) new
- Beirut Air Base/Rafic Hariri Int'l (Beirut Int'l) (BEY) new
- Seeb Int'l (MCT) new
- Sharjah Int'l (SHJ) new
- Hamad Int'l (DOH) new
- Istanbul Airport (IST) new
- Dubai Int'l (DXB) new
- Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l (SAW) new
- Cairo Int'l (CAI) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Top Airlines
Operating at Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air BaseAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Iraqi Airways
IAW
/ IA
|
23 | 395 | 23 | Jan 19, 2026 |
Turkish Airlines
THY
/ TK
|
2 | 132 | 2 | Jan 19, 2026 |
|
Royal Jordanian
RJA
/ RJ
|
1 | 87 | 1 | Jan 19, 2026 |
Qatar Airways
QTR
/ QR
|
1 | 57 | 1 | Jan 19, 2026 |
|
Middle East Airlines - Air Liban
MEA
/ ME
|
1 | 42 | 1 | Jan 19, 2026 |
Pegasus Airlines
PGT
/ PC
|
1 | 39 | 1 | Jan 8, 2026 |
Egypt Air
MSR
/ MS
|
2 | 38 | 2 | Jan 19, 2026 |
Air Arabia
ABY
/ G9
|
1 | 37 | 1 | Oct 25, 2025 |
FlyDubai
FDB
/ FZ
|
1 | 26 | 1 | Jan 19, 2026 |
Flynas
KNE
/ XY
|
1 | 20 | 1 | Jan 19, 2026 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15L/33R |
13124 ft | 197 ft | CON | Active Lighted |
15R/33L |
10830 ft | 148 ft | CON | Active |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| ACC | BALAD ACC | 123.52 MHz |
| APP | APP | 128.2 MHz |
| ATIS | INFO | 127.25 MHz |
| DEP | DEP | 131.9 MHz |
| GND | GND | 121.7 MHz |
| HEL | HELO | 131.7 MHz |
| PMSV | METRO | 116.15 MHz |
| POST | COMD POST | 133.5 MHz |
| RDO | RDO | 127.35 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 118.7 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
The primary and most secure option is the official airport taxi service, Al-Mumayaz. These vehicles are readily available outside the arrivals terminal. Fares are fixed and must be pre-paid at a designated kiosk inside the terminal before you exit. Using the official airport taxi is strongly recommended for security reasons over hailing an unofficial cab.
Rental Cars
Major international car rental chains do not operate at the airport. While some local companies may offer vehicles, it is almost always a 'car with a driver' service. Self-driving is not recommended for foreign visitors due to the complex security environment, numerous checkpoints, and unfamiliar road conditions. Car services should be arranged in advance, typically through your hotel or a local security provider.
Public Transportation
There are no scheduled public bus or train services connecting Baghdad International Airport to the city center. The most common form of transit for international travelers is pre-arranged private shuttle services. Many hotels, particularly those within the International Zone (Green Zone), provide their own secure, often armored, shuttle transport for guests. These must be booked in advance.