Overview — Why Airport Jobs in Iraq Are a High-EPC Opportunity
Iraq’s aviation ecosystem is growing across major hubs — Baghdad International Airport (BGW), Erbil International Airport (EBL), Basra International Airport (BSR), Sulaymaniyah International Airport (ISU), and Al Najaf International Airport (NJF). Passenger traffic recovery, new routes by local carriers, and more cargo movements have created steady demand for ground operations, customer service, cargo & ramp, security, aircraft cleaning, cabin appearance, fueling, and airline operations control roles. Most employers offer tax-free packages locally with allowances, transport, meals & medical cover, and clear growth to supervisory positions.
Whether you’re a fresher targeting check-in agent or a skilled professional in ramp/cargo/aircraft maintenance, Iraq’s multi-city airport network offers a strong career path. This guide gives you the exact roles, salary bands (IQD & USD), city-wise hiring zones, and verified directions to apply via official airport & airline portals and trusted job boards.
High-Demand Roles at Airports (2025)
- Passenger Services (Check-in/Boarding): Document checks, DCS/host system use, baggage tagging, boarding-gate coordination, special assistance.
- Ground Handling (Ramp): Aircraft marshaling support (trained), loading/unloading ULDs, baggage build-up, headset operations (after certification).
- Cargo Warehouse & Freight: Acceptance & build-up, airwaybill handling, cold-chain monitoring, dangerous goods awareness (IATA DGR).
- Security Screening & Access Control: X-ray operation (certified), access permits, landside/airside patrols, ID checks, incident reporting.
- Airline Operations Control / Dispatch (experienced): Flight following, turn-around coordination (TOBT/TSAT), crew brief support.
- Customer Experience & VIP Services: Fast-track, lounge teams, PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) handling, concierge desks.
- Fueling & GSE Technicians: Refueling coordination (with license), ground support equipment maintenance (GPU, belt loaders, tugs).
- Cabin Appearance & Aircraft Cleaning: Quick turns, deep-clean procedures, galley/cabin checks under supervisor.
- Fire & Rescue / Airfield Operations (experienced): Runway inspections, FOD control, ARFF support roles (for licensed candidates).
- Admin, HR & Training (airport/airline vendors): Rostering, payroll, induction, safety & ramp training support.
Eligibility & Hiring Requirements
| Category | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Education | High School/Diploma for entry roles; Aviation diplomas for ops; Degree preferred for supervisors/OCC/dispatch |
| Experience | Freshers accepted in customer service/ramp; 1–3 yrs for cargo/security; 3–7 yrs for OCC/dispatch/supervisors |
| Language | English required; Arabic/Kurdish a strong advantage; Hindi/Urdu helpful in some teams |
| Shifts | 24×7 operations; roster includes nights/weekends/holidays |
| Documents | Passport/ID, background & medical checks, airside pass/airport ID post-selection |
| Skills | Customer handling, safety/compliance, computer basics (DCS), teamwork, stress management |
Salary Guide & Pay Bands (2025)
Indicative monthly ranges in IQD with reference USD. Packages may include transport, duty meals, uniform, medical, allowances, overtime. (Figures vary by city, employer & role seniority.)
| Role | Monthly Salary (IQD) | Approx USD | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-in/Boarding Agent | 1,000,000 – 1,600,000 | $760 – $1,200 | Transport, uniform, meals |
| Ramp Agent / Baggage | 1,100,000 – 1,800,000 | $830 – $1,350 | OT, night diff., PPE |
| Cargo Assistant (Warehouse) | 1,300,000 – 2,000,000 | $980 – $1,500 | Shift allowance, bonus |
| Security Screener (cert.) | 1,400,000 – 2,200,000 | $1,060 – $1,650 | Certification pay |
| Fueling/GSE Technician | 1,600,000 – 2,600,000 | $1,200 – $1,950 | Tool & license allowance |
| VIP/Concierge/Lounge | 1,600,000 – 2,400,000 | $1,200 – $1,800 | Tips/incentives (brand-based) |
| Ops Controller/Dispatch | 2,500,000 – 4,000,000 | $1,900 – $3,000 | Performance bonus |
| Supervisor (Any) | 2,400,000 – 3,800,000 | $1,800 – $2,850 | Phone/transport allowance |
IQD 1,200,000 ───────── Entry (Passenger/Ramp) IQD 1,900,000 ───────── Skilled (Cargo/Security) IQD 2,600,000 ───────── Technician (Fueling/GSE) IQD 3,500,000 ───────── Supervisor / Controller IQD 4,000,000 ───────── Senior Controller / Lead
City & Airport Focus — Where to Apply in Iraq
Baghdad — Baghdad International Airport (BGW)
Iraq’s busiest hub with the widest mix of passenger/charter/cargo ops. Strong demand for check-in/boarding agents, security, ramp/cargo, and lounge/VIP. Look for roles via airport vendors and airlines.
Erbil — Erbil International Airport (EBL)
Key northern gateway with robust international connections. Hiring is active for customer service, ramp, cargo, security, and VIP services due to steady business and tourism travel.
Basra — Basra International Airport (BSR)
Southern hub with oil & gas traffic, charter cargo and business aviation. Strong pipeline for cargo warehouse, ramp, fueling, and security.
Sulaymaniyah — Sulaymaniyah International Airport (ISU)
Busy regional gateway with international services; consistent demand for check-in, ramp, cargo and lounge/PRM staff.
Najaf — Al Najaf International Airport (NJF)
High seasonal pilgrimage volumes create requirements for passenger services, security, and ramp roles, including temporary/contract positions during peak periods.
Leading Airlines & Service Providers (Iraq)
| Company | Focus | Careers / Official |
|---|---|---|
| Iraqi Airways | National Carrier | iraqiairways.com.iq/en/careers |
| Fly Baghdad | Private Airline | fly-baghdad.com/en |
| FlyErbil | Regional Carrier | flyerbil.com |
| Airport Services Vendors | Ground Handling, Cargo, Security | Search airport pages & job boards for vendor listings by airport |
Where to Search & Apply (Iraq-Focused Job Boards)
- LinkedIn Jobs — Iraq (use: “airport”, “ground handling”, “cargo”, “security” + city name)
- Indeed — Iraq (filter: Airport, Airline, Cargo, Security)
- Bayt — Iraq Jobs (search airport/airline keywords)
- GulfTalent — Iraq (Ops, HSE, Logistics)
Preferred Certifications & Skills (Boost Shortlisting)
- IATA DGR Awareness (Cargo), GSE/Fueling licensing, AVSEC certifications, First Aid, Fire Safety.
- System Tools: Departure Control Systems (DCS), handheld scanners, weight & balance basics (under supervision).
- Soft Skills: Customer empathy, conflict de-escalation, multi-lingual communication, punctuality.
CV Blueprint — Get Shortlisted Faster
- Top 3 lines: Target role + years + 2 quantified results (e.g., “Processed 180–220 pax/shift; Zero mishandled bag reports for 3 months”).
- Keywords to add: Airport Jobs Iraq 2025, Ground Handling Iraq, Cargo Warehouse Iraq, AVSEC.
- For ramp/cargo: ULD build-up, DGR awareness, loader/belt operations, marshalling support training.
- For customer service: DCS exposure, boarding gate flow, PRM handling, VIP lounge service metrics.
Interview Questions — Be Ready
- How do you prioritize tasks during a short turn-around flight?
- Explain safe lifting technique for heavy bags and why it matters.
- What steps do you take to prevent baggage mishandling?
- Describe an incident where you de-escalated a passenger complaint.
- How do you coordinate with ramp/cargo/control when a flight is delayed?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) What is the average salary for airport jobs in Iraq?
Entry passenger/ramp roles start around IQD 1,000,000–1,600,000 monthly; cargo/security typically IQD 1,300,000–2,200,000; technician/dispatch/supervisor roles go higher with allowances.
2) Do employers provide accommodation & transport?
Many airport employers include shuttle transport, meals, uniform, and medical. Some offer housing allowance depending on brand and city.
3) Can freshers apply?
Yes. Airports routinely hire freshers for customer service and ramp. Technical/dispatch roles prefer experienced candidates or certifications.
4) Which Iraqi cities have the most openings?
Baghdad and Erbil lead, followed by Basra, Sulaymaniyah, and Najaf. Check official links and job boards listed above.
5) What improves promotion chances?
Strong attendance, passenger satisfaction scores, zero-safety incidents, DGR/AVSEC certifications, and cross-training (ramp + cargo + customer service).