The first plane lands at Mosul International Airport.
The first plane lands at Mosul International Airport.
2025-06-05 00:35
Shafaq News/ Nineveh Governor Abdul Qadir al-Dakhil announced on Thursday the landing of the first experimental Iraqi Airways plane at Mosul International Airport, coming from the capital, Baghdad. This step paves the way for the airport’s official opening scheduled for the tenth of this month.
Al-Dakhil, who arrived from the capital, Baghdad, on the plane, told Shafaq News Agency, “This event represents a significant achievement in reconnecting Nineveh Governorate to the world, after the airport was equipped according to international standards approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO ), including a modern runway, an advanced lounge, and a control tower equipped with the latest technology.”
He added, “The airport’s opening will be attended by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, whose plane is expected to land at the airport, reflecting the federal government’s commitment to rebuilding the governorate’s vital infrastructure.”
He continued, “I had a strange feeling as I landed at Mosul Airport, after flying over areas south of the city, from Qayyarah to Hammam al-Alil, and arriving at the airport runway in just 28 minutes from Baghdad.”
He pointed out that “the successful trial landing is a crucial step confirming the completion of the airport’s reconstruction work, including the runway, terminal, and control tower. Efforts are now focused on a more important phase: the airport’s operation by a global company specializing in management and operations in accordance with international standards.”
Al-Dakhil explained, “Immediately after the Eid al-Adha holiday, we will begin reviewing the offers submitted by several international companies. We will hold negotiation sessions to reach the best contract formula that will ensure the airport operates at the highest levels of efficiency, enhancing Mosul’s role as a major economic and strategic hub.”
He stressed that “the local government is coordinating directly with Iraqi Airways and the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority. The Prime Minister will also attend the official opening of the airport, and it is hoped that his plane will land at the airport, marking the beginning of a new phase of recovery and air connectivity for Mosul with the world.”
The Mosul International Airport project received a fresh start in 2023 due to the destruction it sustained during ISIS’s control of Mosul. Funding was provided through the local government budget for Nineveh Governorate, in direct cooperation with several government agencies, including the Ministries of Transport and Interior, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Border Ports Authority. The airport is scheduled to officially open on June 10.
shafaq.com
