Coll 5/85 ‘Airfield at Dharan for U.S.A.A.F.: Proposal to construct new airport at Bahrain (Hamala)’ [‎28v] (57/522)

DC 88050/1
A
reply. Guesses vary from 2 to 4 years. Our own impression was that the latter
would be more correct.
A general election is pending in Iraq, and it would seem that the development
of the new airfield is very much dependant upon its result. In consequence,
everyone concerned is extremely reluctant to commit themselves to any very
definite statement on the subject. However, a concensus of responsible opinion
seemed to be that it would be unsafe to count on new airfield facilities at
Baghdad inside 3 years.
The position, therefore, is as follows:-
The present airfield is. completely unsafe for anything heavier than a Dakota
for six months of the year. It is capable of being reinforced, and extended to
PICAO Class C standards, and it is estimated that the work would take approximately
six months to complete, at a cost of £200,000. The Iraqis present attitude is
that it would be a waste of money to develop the existing airfield v/hen, according
to them, they will have the new site developed within 18 months, or 2 years time.
Their attitude is also coloured by the fact that a Swedish air line has been
operating a D. 0.1- service into the airfield for the last six months, so far 7 /ithout
mishap. It would seem, therefore, that unless the Iraq Government can be persuaded
to extend and reinforce their existing airfield (which is thought to be extremely
unlikely), it will not be possible for B.O.A.C. to serve Baghdad with A engined
aircraft until the new aerodrome, or at least one runway, on the new aerodrome, has
been constructed. If this limitation is going to interfere seriously with their
plans, the only other alternative is for them to use the R.A.F. aerodrome at
Habaniya, which is some 35 miles by road from Baghdad.
Habaniya has one runw r ay, 6,300 ft. long, which cannot be extended. It has
an estimated bearing capacity of 60,000 lbs. and is capable of occasional use by
aircraft of 80,000 lbs. The PICAO Class C main runway length corrected for
density altitude in this area is 7,000 ft. hence Tudors would be unable to use
Habaniya, though perhaps Yorks might.
A * Conclusio ns an d Rec omm endations
It is for consideration that either by direct representation from the
Ministry, or through the Embassy, that the Iraq Government should be asked either
to undertake some interim development of Baghdad West, or accelerate the develop
ment of their new airfield.
Bearing in mind the aerodrome standards agreed to by Iraq at the Cairo
Regional PICAO Conference, it is thought that this report contains sufficient
'ammunition' of a technical nature to enable us. to put a very strong case either
to PICAO, or direct to the Iraq Government, asking that an airfield of the agreed
standard be provided at an early date, since demonstrably the existing facilities
offered are far below those agreed at Cairo. At present Baghdad West barely
conforms to PICAO Class G standards.
Airfield Lighting. None - Goose neck flares available on request. It is
reported that the R.A.F. are supplying a standard type portable electric flare
path.
Baghdad.
23.1.47.