Serco, the International services group has been awarded a two-year air traffic control operation and training contract with the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority with Al-Burhan Group acting as the local partner. Following the January 2009 acquisition of sovereign control of its airspace, Iraq is required to administer it according to International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) rules and regulations. The Iraqi Government has opted for Serco to undertake this project; based on the Group’s long history of involvement in the Middle East and in the aviation sector itself.

Al-Burhan Group’s role in the project is primarily to provide local representation for Serco acting as a guide using its local expertise and knowledge to facilitate the smooth operation of the deal. Al-Burhan Group has been very active in lobbying the government departments concerned with administering Iraq’s airspace on Serco’s behalf. In addition to these efforts, Al-Burhan Group is constructing a camp containing accommodation for 40-70 employees being trained by Serco in Air Traffic Control operation. The camp will provide the full range of necessary facilities to house the workers for the duration of the programme. It has been accepted from the outset the successful long-term management of Iraq’s civil airspace is vital to the nation’s economy and international reputation. With the country’s geographically central location in the Middle East it has also been recognised that Iraq’s airspace will provide a vital crossing point throughout the region. It is predicted that Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) will soon act as an international hub for aircraft in the region and beyond.

Serco is expected to provide and administer almost every aspect of the contract; including the training of suitable staff to manage and operate control of Iraq’s airspace. This crucial responsibility will include monitoring and guiding incoming and outgoing aircraft crossing Iraq’s borders. Serco has successfully provided such services at a number of large Middle Eastern airports such as Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. Serco is a large and diversified company with an annual turnover of over £3.2 billion and has been active in the Middle East since 1947. Its depth of knowledge in the aviation sector is almost unrivalled with an illustrious history of successful project implementation.

The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority has an overall aim of allowing Iraq’s airspace to operate to international standards, bringing the country in line with its regional neighbours, thus allowing Iraqi commercial and business interests to compete globally. Similarly the domestic aviation market in Iraq is growing rapidly. Only with the implementation of a well-designed and executed aviation management policy can the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority meet its goals and optimally serve the needs of the domestic and international aviation sector.