Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani rebuked Baghdad International Airport director Hussein Qassim Khafi in front of the media during a tour of the airport on Saturday, and was briefed on poor services and the complications suffered by travelers in entering and exiting.
Speaking to the airport director, al-Sudani said: "Where is the minister? Where is the manager? What is this chaos? Where do you work? Have you become a manager? And Tigi tells me the procurement officer is in charge, and where are you?"
Al-Sudani rebukes one of the officials by opening the road to Baghdad International Airport: "What is this chaos, where are you working?"
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The airport manager tried to justify his position to the Sudani, but the latter did not allow his speech to continue, and responded in a high tone, waving his hand "enough", meaning "shut up".
Al-Sudani criticized the phenomenon of changing flight schedules at Baghdad International Airport, and the failure to adhere to fixed times, in addition to the crisis of delaying the receipt of passenger goods, and the lack of amenities for aircraft, deploring the failure to address the problems despite the many continuous complaints.
Against the backdrop of the reprimand, the director of Baghdad airport, Hussein Qassim Khafi, submitted a request to relieve him of his position, which was approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, directing a letter of thanks and appreciation to him for his efforts in serving the airport.
Local media published a document showing the exemption request submitted, attributing the reasons to "the lack of professionalism and support from higher authorities, including the possibility of continuing work and performing duties in a manner befitting the reputation and status of Baghdad airport."
Al-Sudani's tour came after the opening of the Baghdad International Airport road, which has been closed for 20 years, as part of a first phase that allows the entry of citizens' vehicles traveling for departing flights only, all the way to the airport lounges designated for departures, and the second phase will later include allowing the entry of citizens' vehicles to receive incoming passengers, according to an official statement.
Baghdad International Airport is the only one in the capital and the largest in Iraq, and dates back to 1979 and 1982, when it was built by French and British companies for more than $ 900 million.
The capacity of Baghdad Airport is estimated at about 7.5 million passengers annually, and the airport contains 3 main terminals, namely Babylon, Nineveh and Samarra, and each of these halls includes 6 movable bridges to connect passengers to aircraft, in addition to VIP lounges dedicated to VIPs.
The airport's activities ceased following the Second Gulf War (from August 1990, 28 to February 1991, <>) and the imposition of the economic embargo on Iraq, with the exception of some domestic and humanitarian flights to transport medicines and food by international charities.
US forces occupied the airport during a fierce battle known at the time as the "Airport Battle", and its name was changed from Saddam Airport to Baghdad International Airport.
Since 2003, the authorities have developed a plan to secure entry and exit from the airport due to the poor security situation after the US invasion of Iraq, where the traveler undergoes several stages of inspection before reaching the main departure hall or exiting the airport.