-
Iraq opens new international airport in northern Kirkuk
Iraqi Transport Minister Nasser Al-Shibli inaugurated the first-ever international airport in the northern city of Kirkuk on Sunday (Oct 17).
Imad Daham, an Iraqi adviser, told the state news agency INA: “The airport will start receiving flights as of Sunday."
The first plane to land on the runway on the new airport was a government aircraft, carrying Iraqi Transport Minister Nasser al Shibli and Acting Finance Minister Hayam Nemat, who arrived in Kirkuk for the official opening ceremony, Kurdistan24 broadcaster reported.
Located in the southwest of Kirkuk, the airport is capable of receiving 3.5 million passengers annually, according to local officials.
It took four years to complete the new airport in Kirkuk.
Iraq currently has four international airports in Erbil, Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, and Najaf.
Curfew declared in Iraqi capital as cleric’s supporters storm presidential palace
Kirkuk is a city in Iraq, serving as the capital of the Kirkuk Governorate, located 238 kilometres north of Baghdad.
The city is home to a diverse population of Turkmens, Arabs, Kurds, and Assyrians. Kirkuk sits on the ruins of the original Kirkuk Citadel which sits near the Khasa River.
levantnews-agencies
