ICAA makes airways appear out of thin air

BAHGDAD -- Air Force Lt. Col. Tom Schmidt, Air Component Coordination Element airspace planner, observes while Iraq Civil Aviation Authority members discuss the new Iraqi airway structure Nov. 18, 2009. Colonel Schmidt spent the past seven months helping the Iraqis develop new air routes. These routes will increase efficiency and capacity through Iraqi airspace, normalizing Iraq's airspace and increasing its air traffic growth. Colonel Schmidt is deployed from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, and is a native of Philadelphia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

ICAA makes airways appear out of thin air

BAHGDAD -- Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority members discuss the new airway structure Nov. 18, 2009. Air Force members spent seven months assisting the Iraqis with developing new air routes. These routes will increase efficiency and capacity through Iraqi airspace allowing the country to normalize airspace and increase air traffic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

ICAA makes new airways appear out of thin air

Published Nov. 20, 2009
By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles
U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs

BAGHDAD -- 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.

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

"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 air space."

Lt. Col. Tom Schmidt, 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-Iraq for WCG, an American-based contract company which provides air traffic control service and training at 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 country. Plans are already in progress to further develop the Iraqi air space, 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 air space."