GF to Baghdad and Najaf in Iraq. Your opinion please.
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GF to Baghdad and Najaf in Iraq. Your opinion please.
"We started flying to capital Baghdad 33 years ago and currently a Gulf Air team is working hard to start services once again to this historic city from September. We are also planning to start operations to the holy city of Najaf as soon as the airport infrastructure there is in place. The addition of Iraq to our network will not only strengthen our reach within the region but also our position as having one of largest and best-connected networks in the Middle East, something we should be very proud of and build on."
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Gulf Air can and will (re)start the route, like they did for Kolkata, Dublin, etc., etc. And when it nears the end of its incubation period, some wise crack will order its closure - paving the way for others to operate and make money there.
Anything new?
Of course, when GF starts, there will be bickerings about safety, "My nationality does not allow me" etc. etc. , but it will subside in a month's time.
Anything new?
Of course, when GF starts, there will be bickerings about safety, "My nationality does not allow me" etc. etc. , but it will subside in a month's time.
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For Najaf, EK will be out of luck as it can only handle narrow-bodies for now. Not sure about BGW but I assume it could at least handle an A330. Safety will be always a concern, for aircraft and for the pax coming and leaving the airport.
Spot on Propellor. Too many other destinations are included in the 'etc. etc.' bit.
Spot on Propellor. Too many other destinations are included in the 'etc. etc.' bit.
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Propellor
Of course, when GF starts, there will be bickerings about safety, "My nationality does not allow me" etc. etc. , but it will subside in a month's time.
Below is just one an example:
There is extreme risk to your safety in Iraq.
We strongly advise against all travel to Iraq and all xxxxx citizens there should depart.
The security situation is extremely dangerous. Hostage taking is prevalent, especially in urban areas.
Widespread violence and kidnappings continue in Iraq, especially in Baghdad, Basra and other urban areas. Many hostages have been killed or remain missing. Threats to foreigners remain high and hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners, civilian vehicles and aircraft continue to be targeted. Police stations, government buildings, mosques and churches, the Multinational Force and Iraqi military forces also continue to be attacked. Attacks target not only those associated with the Iraqi government but also non-governmental organisations (NGOs), western organisations (UN, ICRC), contractors working on reconstruction projects and journalists.
Baghdad is the major seat of the insurgency and is prey to intensive, ongoing violence. The international zone in Baghdad (the Green Zone) remains under threat and is subject to rocket and mortar attacks.
Presently, few commercial airlines use Baghdad International Airport. Flying by commercial aircraft in Iraq is not recommended as flights have been targeted. The road to the airport is extremely dangerous as vehicles using it are frequently bombed or fired at.
Travel by road is extremely dangerous in many parts of Iraq because of bombings, explosions, robbery and carjacking. There are daily occurrences of roadside bombings in and around Baghdad, main supply routes and Basra.
Curfew times vary throughout the country, can be lengthened at short notice, and must be adhered to. Queries regarding the times should be directed to the MND (Multi National Deployment) headquarters of a particular area.
We strongly advise against all travel to Iraq and all xxxxx citizens there should depart.
The security situation is extremely dangerous. Hostage taking is prevalent, especially in urban areas.
Widespread violence and kidnappings continue in Iraq, especially in Baghdad, Basra and other urban areas. Many hostages have been killed or remain missing. Threats to foreigners remain high and hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners, civilian vehicles and aircraft continue to be targeted. Police stations, government buildings, mosques and churches, the Multinational Force and Iraqi military forces also continue to be attacked. Attacks target not only those associated with the Iraqi government but also non-governmental organisations (NGOs), western organisations (UN, ICRC), contractors working on reconstruction projects and journalists.
Baghdad is the major seat of the insurgency and is prey to intensive, ongoing violence. The international zone in Baghdad (the Green Zone) remains under threat and is subject to rocket and mortar attacks.
Presently, few commercial airlines use Baghdad International Airport. Flying by commercial aircraft in Iraq is not recommended as flights have been targeted. The road to the airport is extremely dangerous as vehicles using it are frequently bombed or fired at.
Travel by road is extremely dangerous in many parts of Iraq because of bombings, explosions, robbery and carjacking. There are daily occurrences of roadside bombings in and around Baghdad, main supply routes and Basra.
Curfew times vary throughout the country, can be lengthened at short notice, and must be adhered to. Queries regarding the times should be directed to the MND (Multi National Deployment) headquarters of a particular area.
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well i think its a good idea now! GF is not that stupid that it wont look at safety. There are hundreds of people trying to fly in and out of the city ( mostly out). well then if its safe, then GF would have a new route to fly
. it would be a shame if it didnt.
. it would be a shame if it didnt.
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I'm sure the GF guys are are delighted to have another lovely turnaround destination 
Used to work there but left after 14 months. It's sad to see how incompetent management can turn once a respectable company into a complete mess...
Used to work there but left after 14 months. It's sad to see how incompetent management can turn once a respectable company into a complete mess...
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Your life insurance is void when flying (or going to) Iraq- at least most policies will state this.
Best guess is that GF will be unwilling to cover its crews (ie. to the same level and condition you may have in your policy). There was something in their own docs that once statd they were REQUIRED to do this. Not sure if it still there.
Best guess is that GF will be unwilling to cover its crews (ie. to the same level and condition you may have in your policy). There was something in their own docs that once statd they were REQUIRED to do this. Not sure if it still there.
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I believe we are about to operate there just to prove that the situation has improved rapidly there as ordered by our big brother- the US.
I believe all embassies have advisories AGAINST travelling there but does GF care? Of course not. The best way to avoid going there is to insist that the company provides addition personal insurance for us.
From the British embassy
Iraq travel advice
From the Canadians
Travel Report for Iraq
& US
Iraq
I believe all embassies have advisories AGAINST travelling there but does GF care? Of course not. The best way to avoid going there is to insist that the company provides addition personal insurance for us.
From the British embassy
Civilian and military aircraft arriving in and departing from Baghdad International Airport and flying to other major cities in Iraq have been subjected to attack by small arms and missiles. However, the standard of security at Baghdad International Airport’s civilian terminal has improved. There are still concerns and we urge you exercise caution if using the civilian terminal.
From the Canadians
Few commercial airlines provide passenger service in and out of Baghdad International Airport due to current conditions and the threat of surface-to-air missile attacks from insurgent forces.
& US
Travelers choosing to utilize commercial carriers to enter or depart Iraq should be aware that, although there have been no recent attacks on civilian aircraft, the potential threat still exists, as does the high risk to road transportation as described above.
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Despite GF pilot contracts listing extra war zone life cover would be purchased by GF to underwrite a pilots own accident and/or life insurance
policies.... in the first Gulf War... this did not occur.
Pilots that requested it were immediately places on leave (with no leave ticket out of Bahrain available)
Their request for this coverage was mentioned to them later as their contract renewal date approached...one pilot I knew faced with this uncertainty...simply told Gf to forget it and joined SIA on a B747 where he remained until retirement.
policies.... in the first Gulf War... this did not occur.
Pilots that requested it were immediately places on leave (with no leave ticket out of Bahrain available)
Their request for this coverage was mentioned to them later as their contract renewal date approached...one pilot I knew faced with this uncertainty...simply told Gf to forget it and joined SIA on a B747 where he remained until retirement.
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Chuck Y
I believe we are about to operate there just to prove that the situation has improved rapidly there as ordered by our big brother- the US.
Interesting to note that the big Gulf Airlines don't seem to want to get involved yet...I wonder why? I'm certain they are just as aware of the potential but obviously don't want to risk it at the moment.....like every other airline in the world apart from RJ and Austrian......
Safe flying all.
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The decision to fly to Iraq by GF is definitely political in nature (esp. Najaf). The costs will be enormous (esp. the insurance premiums). Not sure how Baghdad will fair (too far from the religious shrines and limited visas will affect the local traffic), but Najaf is a definite money maker and will keep the many people happy as the religious traffic is strong year-round.
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Not sure about the JFK flights...EK pulled out the 380 off this route for a reason. I do a JFK flight every month, they were only half full until the summer holidays... just saying
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There were rumours at QR around 2003 that they wanted to begin flying to both Baghad and Basrah. Only rumours of course...
I think the council of Iraq granted a few airlines permission to fly both passengers and cargo in and out of the country. Emirates, Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian Airlines and Qatar Airways were a few of them. I also think LOT and SAS received permission.
I think the council of Iraq granted a few airlines permission to fly both passengers and cargo in and out of the country. Emirates, Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian Airlines and Qatar Airways were a few of them. I also think LOT and SAS received permission.
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yea that's right! about the JFK rout. Gf used to fly packed with pax on this route ... because the flight was mostly at midnight (i should know i went on the 2nd flight)so passenger could from all over the GF network could get a connection to newyork! most of my family memebers used to fly the airline from and to JFK and they kept telling me the Y class was full! but i only flew in J class which was kinda empty
)so passenger could from all over the GF network could get a connection to newyork! most of my family memebers used to fly the airline from and to JFK and they kept telling me the Y class was full! but i only flew in J class which was kinda empty
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Even though JFK is not the topic of this forum, I should point out that GF started JFK services around 1994(?) and stopped around 1st quarter of 1997. Do the maths guys.
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what did you mean by the statement "do the math" have i said something wrong?
im not sure but i guess they stopped the flights to JFK because of financial difficulties! that's when Gf was heavily in dept.
im not sure but i guess they stopped the flights to JFK because of financial difficulties! that's when Gf was heavily in dept.