Serco and Al Burhan win Iraqi ATM contract extension for Baghdad

Serco has been providing services in Baghdad since January 2011. The partnership between Serco and the ICAA has achieved a number of successes, including the achievement of the Vertical Separation Minimum, to increase airspace capacity, and the successful training and validation of over 40 new Iraqi controllers, while continuously developing a solid foundation for re-building ATC capabilities in Iraq.
Serco provides ATC services across 82 sites on three different continents and handles more than six million aircraft movements annually, making it one of the largest air navigation service providers in the world.
In the Middle East, Serco manages 192,000 square miles of airspace over five countries and has been providing air traffic services, training, consultancy and support to clients in the region since 1947. The airports where Serco currently provides services include Bahrain, Dubai Sharjah and Baghdad.
The new 18 month contract in Iraq, extends the agreement until January 2015, and enables Serco to provide the ICAA with continued “On the Job Training” for new Iraqi air traffic controllers in the Area Control Centre as well as ATC training in the Control Tower at Baghdad International Airport.
Under the new contract, Serco will also provide the Aviation Academy with additional Air Traffic Services Instructors to commence the training of up to 100 new Iraqi controllers which will help the ICAA build a sustainable ATC system in support of the country’s redevelopment.
Zafar Raja, Serco’s Middle East chief executive said: “The Iraq airspace is a critical corridor to and from Europe for the region’s airlines and it requires safe, competent and efficient air traffic services delivery. We are thrilled that the ICAA continues to have confidence in Serco’s ability to deliver on its promises and support in the commitment to train Iraqi nationals”.