Basra airport key to economy

BASRA, Iraq, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- British forces in southern Iraq view the handover of Basra International Airport as a key objective to economic development in the region, officials say.

British military officials said expanding the dual-use facilities at the 20-year-old airport is vital to restoring the economy in the port region and the rest of the country, the British Ministry of Defense said Wednesday.

Commercial flights to BIA resumed in 2004, and airport traffic approaches about 100 flights each month. British forces have established their primary base of operations at the airport, though Iraqi Airways shares usage for domestic flights throughout the country.

Plans for the airport include a gradual drawdown of the military presence at the airport, with British forces saying the presence of operational bases there gives the airport a misplaced reputation.

As a sign of the increased commercial use of BIA, Boeing reached a $2.2 billion deal with the Iraqi government in May to purchase 30 737-800 passenger aircraft. In the future, the Ministry of Defense says, British forces may also pay BIA for use of its space.

British Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon, commander of regional forces in the south, said the handover is a primary goal as his forces wind down their presence.