Najaf International Airport construction 68% complete, Iraqi aviation chief says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Construction of Najaf International Airport in Dhi Qar has reached 68% physical completion, according to Capt. Ihab Said, director general of Iraq's General Company for Civil Aviation and Airports. Said said work on the project is continuing at an "uninterrupted and increasing pace" and that progress will accelerate once newly ordered ground-handling equipment arrives. Under the current plan, a technical team will travel to China to carry out factory acceptance tests for the equipment, while daily work at the site continues without interruption. Said said the main obstacles that had slowed the project have largely been overcome, and an additional protocol is being prepared to finalize remaining issues under the contract. If the current pace is maintained and the scheduled timelines are met, the airport could be handed over by early 2026, Said said. No further details on the handover date or remaining work were immediately available.