Air Force experts, Iraqi aviation authority restructure airways

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
BAGHDAD (AFNS) --  On Nov. 19, the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority implemented a revamped airway structure within Iraq, the first such airspace restructuring in years.

In addition to the ICAA, members of the Air Component Coordination Element, Washington Consulting Group and various other agencies played a crucial role in the opening of these airways.

According to Ali Khalil Ibrahim, ICAA director of Air Traffic Services, these new routes increase capacity and efficiency to users operating within Iraqi airspace.

"Today is a result of our hard work," Mr. Ibrahim said. "There were big challenges that we had before, but with the support of all our colleagues, friends and the U.S. Air Force, we were able to begin these new procedures. We have had lots of challenges in the past, but today will be big day in ICAA and in Iraq -- we will improve our airspace."

Lt. Col. Tom Schmidt, an ACCE airspace planner, contributed to this feat by assisting in the development of the new airways and incorporating the new structure into Jeppesen Enroute Charts, a system which "essentially publishes the new airway structure to the world," according to the colonel. Although he played a key role, he says his efforts alone could not have accomplished this task.

"This project was a true collaborative effort," said the native of Philadelphia. "It's important to point out the initial concept and development effort was jump-started by Gary Brittain of the WCG."

Mr. Brittain is the project manager in Iraq for WCG, an American-based contract company which provides air traffic control service and training at the Baghdad International Airport.

With the opening of these routes comes a strong sense of accomplishment and hope for Iraq. Currently, overflight fees bring in more than $3 million a month to the country. Plans are already in progress to further develop the Iraqi airspace, and as a result, bring more revenue to the Iraqi economy.

"The new structure not only provides a more efficient north-south traffic flow through the Baghdad Flight Information Region between Turkey and Kuwait, but provides Iraq with the opportunity of increased traffic growth in the future as east-west routes open after the implementation of Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum in the BFIR," said Colonel Schmidt who is deployed from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

Mr. Ibrahim is grateful for the work that has been put into the betterment of his country.

"I would like to thank everyone who supports the ICAA, especially our colleagues and the U.S. Air Force," he said. "They have done a great job in assisting the ICAA. We have had many successes together, and I hope that in time we will get full responsibility of our airspace."