Gulf Air resumes Najaf flights after ' terrorism' closure

Gulf Air today resumed its flights to Najaf International Airport following the reopening of the airport.

Flight GF 203 departed Bahrain International Airport at 1000 hrs, with a scheduled arrival into Najaf International Airport in Iraq at 1142hrs. The return flight, GF 202 left Najaf at 1210 hrs with a scheduled arrival into Bahrain at 1348 hrs.

The airport was closed last week after suggestions that a terrorist plot had been discovered which involved an aircraft from the Iraqi airport.

According to Associated Press intelligence officials in Washington confirmed the plot but said it did not appear to be fully planned out, nor was it clear that militants would be able to carry out any attacks.

Still, they said the threats were being taken seriously as "the intent seems real," according to one of the U.S. officials.

Before the weekend, Iraqi Defence Minister Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi said the airport "will be reopened soon, after discussing the needed security measures." He said the intelligence about the attacks is unclear but "at the same time, we can't neglect them."

Iraqi security officials said al-Qaida planned to hijack flights as they were leaving Iraqi airports. Authorities shut down airports in Najaf and Baghdad last week in response to the threat, the officials said. The Najaf airport has been closed since April 8 and Baghdad's International Airport shut down for a few hours on April 7 in what officials then blamed on radar problems.

Gulf Air Chief Commercial Officer Kyle Haywood said, “I am pleased that the Iraqi authorities have reopened the airport and hope that passengers may not face any more disruptions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their patience during the closure of the airport.”

From tomorrow, Tuesday 27 March, Gulf Air’s daily flights to and from Najaf will be operated as per normal schedule; (all times local)

Depart Bahrain: 1015 hours

Arrive Najaf: 1150 hours

Depart Najaf: 1300 hours

Arrive Bahrain: 1430 hours