BGW Airport (Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base) – Cargo, Address, Transit

About This Airport

Twenty years ago the road from this airport into the city – nicknamed "Route Irish" – was among the most dangerous stretches of tarmac on earth; today Baghdad International (BGW/ORBI) is once again Iraq's busiest gateway, handling around 8 million passengers a year. Its freight operation sits in a separate, well-secured cargo zone one to two kilometres from the passenger terminals, with its own access road and ongoing expansion of storage capacity. Cargo capability is real: a weekly Boeing 777 freighter from Doha resumed in May 2025, and Qatar Airways Cargo alone offers more than 115 tonnes of weekly belly capacity, alongside Emirates SkyCargo, Royal Jordanian, Turkish Cargo and Iraqi Airways. Integrators DHL and FedEx serve the market through local agents. Clearance is thorough rather than quick – customs work side by side with the Economic Police, intelligence and national security services inside the cargo complex. Iraq has almost no usable rail freight, so onward distribution is road-based, with the southern port of Umm Qasr near Basra handling any sea-air combinations. The field also doubles as the New Al Muthana Air Base, a reminder of its layered military past.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IATA code of Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base?▼

The IATA code of Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base is BGW. This three-letter code is used for unique airport identification in international air transport.

Where is Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base located?▼

Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base is located in Baghdad, IQ.

What is the ICAO code of Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base?▼

The ICAO code of Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base is ORBI. This four-letter code is used internationally in aviation.

What is the elevation of Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base?▼

Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air Base is at an elevation of 35 meters (114 ft) above sea level.

Baghdad International Airport / New Al Muthana Air BaseBGW · ORBI

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