Nasiriyah International Airport Set to Open in Coming Months

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A new international airport in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province is expected to begin operations within the next several months, according to the provincial governor. Dhi Qar Governor Haysem al-Hamdani told the state-run Iraqi News Agency that the opening would boost tourism in the city and shorten travel times. He said the facility would serve both the Development Road project and local tourist destinations. The project's main contractor is China State Construction Engineering Corporation. The scope of work includes resurfacing a 3,400-meter runway and a 185,000-square-meter apron, constructing passenger and VIP terminals, a cargo terminal, a four-star hotel and improving administrative and navigation infrastructure. The airport is slated to open with an initial capacity of 750,000 passengers per year, with plans to increase that figure to 2.5 million after a ten-year expansion phase.