Baghdad International Airport

Baghdad International Airport (IATA: BGW, ICAO: ORBI) (Arabic: مطار بغداد الدولي, romanized: Maṭār Baġdād ad-Dawaliyy), previously known as Saddam International Airport (IATA: SDA, ICAO: ORBS) is an international airport serving Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. It is located in a suburb about 16 km (9.9 mi) west of the downtown in the Baghdad Governorate. Currently, it is the largest and busiest airport in Iraq, with approximately 8 million passengers annually, offering flights to more than 35 destinations.

The construction of today's three terminals began in 1979, under the regime of Saddam Hussein. However, the inauguration of the airport was delayed during the Iran–Iraq War. The airport was opened in 1982. It ceased commercial operations after sanctions were imposed against Iraq during the Gulf War. Only a few planes operated, mainly carrying humanitarian aid. On 17 August 2000, the airport reopened with commercial flights from Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. During the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the airport was the scene of heavily intense fighting between the United-States-led coalition forces and the Iraqi military. The airport thereafter fell in control of coalition forces and was closed for renovation. It later adopted its current name and resumed operations. The airport and surrounding vicinity were subjected to attacks and site of clashes between militants and the U.S. forces.