Najaf International Airport — Local services in Al-Najaf Central Subdistrict

The most exhausting and disorganized airport experience of my life.

Let me explain the “procedure” at Najaf International Airport in detail so future travelers know what to expect:

Main Gate Stop: No matter how you arrive, your car will be stopped at the main gate. Passport is verified/visa. Then you drive 100 meters and are stopped again — this time you must wait outside until the checking room clears. There is no shade, so you stand under the sun, sometimes for 15–20 minutes.

Vehicle Check: When it’s your turn, 15–20 cars at once are lined up. You must open all car doors, leave your luggage inside, and then walk through the checkpoint on foot under 45°C heat. Accessories off, body check done, while dogs sniff your car. Only after that are you allowed back in the car.

Entrance Fee: To even get to the terminal, you pay a fee — 4,000 IQD for a small car or 20,000 IQD for a Starex.

Pakistani Passports: If you hold a Pakistani passport, things get much worse. On arrival, immigration takes away your passport and instead gives you a stamped paper. That passport stays with a “sponsor,” who charges $50 and must be informed 24 hours before your departure. Without him, you cannot leave Iraq. Meaning you spend your whole trip without your passport — a practice illegal in most countries.

Departure Nightmare: • You must call your sponsor a day before your flight, otherwise he might simply not show up. • Once at the departure terminal, cars park outside. Passengers must walk around 100m in the open sun to the gate. • At the gate, you’re told to leave your luggage at a “dump point” before entering. Then they ask for your passport — but since you don’t have it, staff call around until they confirm you’re Pakistani and that your sponsor should be inside. More delays. • Multiple redundant checks follow, including attempts to confiscate items like power banks.

Waiting for Sponsor: Inside the terminal, you must again call your sponsor to come and return your passport. Mine took half an hour before handing it over at immigration. Then, even after getting the passport back, the immigration officer asked me to call my sponsor again to verify me.

Time Wasted: The entire departure process took me 60–90 minutes, not including waiting for the sponsor. To be safe, you need to arrive 5–6 hours before your flight.

CIP Lounge: Even if you hold an international lounge membership (like Priority Pass), they refuse it. Staff demand $35 cash instead. No professionalism. ⸻ Najaf International Airport is not passenger-friendly. It is disorganized, unnecessarily stressful, and creates endless obstacles — especially for Pakistani passport holders. You lose control of your passport, spend hours under the sun, pay multiple “fees,” and depend on a sponsor who may or may not show up.

A process that should take 30 minutes turns into half a day of stress,...

A Very Unpleasant Experience at This Airport

Unfortunately, one of the worst air travel experiences I’ve ever had took place at this airport. Due to multiple delays during the security procedures and a lack of cooperation from the staff, I ended up missing my flight.

🔹 Excessive and Unreasonable Security Checks: In total, our passports and belongings were checked about 7 times at different points (from the entrance to the departure gate). Each time we faced long lines, poor organization, and significant wasted time. This unnecessary process alone caused us to spend more than 45 minutes stuck in various queues.

🔹 Unprofessional Staff Behavior: Many of the airport staff behaved unprofessionally and had difficulties communicating with foreign passengers, as a large number of them did not even have a basic knowledge of English.

🔹 Lack of Adequate Facilities: The airport lacks sufficient facilities for passengers, and in case of any issues, there is no effective system in place to guide or assist travelers.

🔹 No Cooperation in Emergency Situations: Although the gate closure was a direct result of inspection delays, the staff provided no cooperation or solution to resolve the problem, and ultimately, we missed our flight.

I truly hope the airport management takes these criticisms seriously and works on improving both the processes and the quality of services. These issues not only create dissatisfaction among passengers but also negatively affect the airport’s...

Najaf International Airport is a well-maintained and functional airport that caters to the needs of both domestic and international travelers. It is equipped with essential facilities, including immigration services, baggage handling, duty-free shops, rest areas, and food outlets.

The airport is relatively small compared to major international hubs, but it operates efficiently and provides a smooth arrival and departure experience. Cleanliness is generally well-maintained, and the staff is helpful, especially for pilgrims traveling to the holy sites in Najaf.

Security procedures are thorough, and there are designated areas for prayer and rest, which are particularly appreciated by travelers coming for religious purposes. Transportation options like taxis and private transfers are available just outside the terminal.

Overall, Najaf International Airport offers a comfortable and convenient travel experience, especially for those visiting the religious and cultural landmarks...