Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN5890
2003-09-13 08:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

TRAVEL TO IRAQ FROM JORDAN: NEW HACC CHARTER

Tags:  EAIR ETRD EINV JO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005890 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EB/TRA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ETRD EINV JO
SUBJECT: TRAVEL TO IRAQ FROM JORDAN: NEW HACC CHARTER
FLIGHT ADDS OPTION

REF: AMMAN 4535

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005890

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EB/TRA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ETRD EINV JO
SUBJECT: TRAVEL TO IRAQ FROM JORDAN: NEW HACC CHARTER
FLIGHT ADDS OPTION

REF: AMMAN 4535


1. (U) Post has received multiple inquiries about travel to
Iraq by way of Jordan, and is in planning stages for the
creation of a logistics center to assist USG personnel
transiting Jordan en route to Iraq. As this logistics center
is not yet operational, the Embassy wishes to supply he
Department and all other interested USG personnel with
information on current options for travel from Jordan to
Iraq. In the future, the Embassy plans to send out regular
updates of this information giving any significant changes in
travel options. Particularly notable changes of the past two
weeks include a cutback of UN flights to Iraq and the
establishment of a regular Amman-Baghdad charter flight
intended primarily for U.S., CPA, and Iraqi personnel.

--------------
AIR TRANSPORT
--------------


2. (U) There are currently three different ways to travel
from Amman to Baghdad by air. All three leave from Marka
Airport, located in downtown Amman, about 25 miles from Queen
Alia International Airport. One began service recently,
while two others have been established since the beginning of
the summer (see reftel). The Humanitarian Assistance
Coordination Center (HACC) in Amman, in partnership with
Royal Jordanian Airlines initiated a charter flight from
Amman to Baghdad on August 18. A 48-seat airplane departs
Marka Airport at 0800 and arrives in Baghdad at 1100 on
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Return flights depart
Baghdad at 1230 and arrive in Amman by 1400 on those same
days. This flight is available for two categories of
travelers. DOD and CPA personnel, personnel of the U.S. and
coalition governments, and officials of Iraqi ministries will
be charged USD 50 one-way and USD 100 round-trip. Authorized
USAID, CPA, and DOD contractors, personnel from the UN and
humanitarian organizations, and non-coalition diplomats will
be charged USD 350 one-way and USD 600 round-trip for the
flight. Passengers are limited to 20 kilos of baggage and
will be charged USD 5 per kilo for excess baggage. In
Baghdad, CusterBattles offers a land transport service in
conjunction with flight arrival and departure times that runs
between the airport, the Republican Palace, the Palestine and
Sheraton hotels, and the IAC/Al-Rasheed. Travelers may

register for this flight from Amman or get more information
about it by contacting LTC Chuck Litzleman of HACC-Amman at
962-77-485-998 or by e-mail at ChuckLitz@hotmail.com. Upon
approval by HACC, or with valid identification certifying
membership in one of the above categories of authorized
travelers,passengers will purchase tickets for a flight
directly from Royal Jordanian Airlines.


3. (U) A second air option is offered by the USAID grantee
AirServ, which is operating 14-seat aircraft into Baghdad
twice a day on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and once a
day on Tuesday. Flights from Amman on Sunday and Wednesday
also fly to Erbil, and
on Monday and Thursday also fly to Basra. (This schedule
will be valid throughout September.) USAID personnel fly free
of charge on this flight. Personnel of USAID implementing
partners and unaffiliated humanitarian NGOs are charged USD
165 for a one-way ticket to Baghdad, with extra charges to
continue to Basra and Erbil. USG personnel other than USAID,
personnel of foreign governments, and members of other
organizations and corporations not affiliated with USAID may
use these flights if space is available, and are charged USD
660 for a one-way ticket to Baghdad, with extra charges for
Basra and Erbil. Passengers may carry no more than 20 kilos
of luggage; excess baggage will be carried at an additional
charge if there is room. In Baghdad, AirServ does not offer
ground transportation from the airport; passengers will need
to make their own arrangements for such transportation.
Persons wishing to register for this flight, obtain a full
flight schedule, or find out further information may do so by
contacting the AirServ booking office at 962-79-694-1365 or
by e-mail at Jordan@airserv.org


4. (U) UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights are a
third option for air transport from Amman to Baghdad. The UN
is currently operating four aircraft flying at different
times between Amman and Baghdad, as well as to other
destinations in Iraq and in neighboring countries. According
to the current flight schedule, there is at least one flight
a day from Amman to Baghdad and back from Sunday to Thursday,
with frequent additional stops in Erbil, and occasionally an
additional stop in Basra. The recent drawdown of UN
personnel in Iraq has meant that the schedule is subject to
change on a day-to-day basis, depending upon the needs of the
UN. It also likely will mean a substantial decrease in
flights into Iraq in the near future, after the last of the
UN staff evacuations have been completed. Current schedules
may be obtained by contacting UNHAS at 962-79-666-9947 or by
e-mail at rabie.allouh@wfp.org. Seats on the UN flight are
available free of charge to two tiers of passengers, with UN
personnel given priority. If space is available, members of
humanitarian NGOs operating in support of the UN mission to
Iraq and high-level (First Secretary and above) diplomatic
personnel on official travel related to humanitarian work in
Iraq may also use the aircraft free of charge, on a
first-come, first-served basis. If space remains after these
two categories of passengers have been fully served, other
governmental personnel may be able to obtain seats on the
flight subject if clearance is granted from the office of the
UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq. Passengers are limited
to a maximum of 25 kilos of luggage, although this amount may
be limited even further, based on the needs of the UN. In
Baghdad, the UN is offering land transport between the
airport and the Canal Hotel, timed with the arrival and
departure schedule. Passengers for UNHAS flights cannot
register by telephone; booking requests must be placed by
e-mail to iraq.unhas@wfp.org. Further information on UNHAS
booking procedures, regulations, and points of contact may
obtained at www.unjlc.org

--------------
LAND TRANSPORT
--------------


5. (U) Personnel unable to obtain seating on one of the three
flights may wish to travel overland to Baghdad, although the
Embassy does not repeat not recommend this route. The drive
from Amman to Baghdad is approximately nine hours during
daylight. Jordanian taxis may be chartered from Amman to
Baghdad, usually for a fee of USD 300-500. These services
include Abu Al Hal, telephone 962-6-462-1642, and Al Nasser,
telephone 962-6-463-6952. Armed escorts may be hired in
Amman from security firms for an additional USD 1000-1500.
There have been few/no attacks on vehicle traffic along this
route (Iraqi Highway 1) between the Jordanian border and the
Iraqi town of Ar-Rutba. From Ar-Rutba to Baghdad (and
especially between Ramadi and Baghdad),HWY 1 is subject to
strong USG and UN travel advisories, as vehicles up to and
including armored convoys have been attacked both at night
and during daylight hours. As the frequency of armed attacks
is lowest during the morning daylight hours, taxi services
tend to depart at around midnight from Amman in order to
arrive at the highest-risk area during those hours. CPA
Ministry of Interior has several active and passive efforts
underway to combat threats to travelers in this area.

--------------
OTHER LOGISTICAL REQUIREMENTS
--------------


6. (SBU) There are no visa requirements for entry into Iraq;
travelers to Iraq crossing the land border must pay a fee
equivalent to approx. 40 US cents. Jordanian compliance with
CPA Order 16 (signed June 27, 2003) requesting that foreign
governments honor expired Iraqi passports less than four
years out of date, has been spotty. Jordan does not require
visas for Iraqi passport holders; however, it has turned away
many Iraqis at the port of entry. Jordan does require visas
for US and EU passport holders, which may be purchased for JD
18/USD 25 upon arrival in Jordan. USG employees are reminded
to consult the Foreign Visitors Guide for information on
official notification procedures for traveling to Jordan.
GNEHM