Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, laid today, Saturday, the foundation stone of the Nasiriyah International Airport in the southern governorate of Dhi Qar.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, PM al-Kadhimi said, "the Nasiriyah International Airport will open up opportunities for investment and international tourism in the governorate. It will also provide jobs for our peoples in Dhi Qar."
"The project adopted modern blueprints that will render the airport a vital facility that provides services for both travelers heading to Dhi Qar or the nearby governorates, as well as investors and tourists from all over the world."
"The contract of the airport was concluded recently. We laid down all the preparations for its establishment. We are adamant about completing the project before the deadline."
On June 8, the Iraqi government concluded with its Chinese counterpart a contract to rehabilitate the Nasiriyah International Airport.
For its part, the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) said that the ceremonial of laying the foundation stone of the Nasiriyah International Airport was attended by its chair, Captain Nael Abdul-Hadi, and the executing company CSCEC.
A statement of ICAA said, "the Nasiriyah International Airport will be a significant landmark in the sector of the Iraqi civil aviation. It will be implemented in accordance with the latest international standards and requirements confirmed by the International Civil Aviation Organization lCAO."
ICAA said that the project shall be completed within 36 months. It will have the capacity of 750,000 travelers a year. The project will be equipped with all the required services, in addition to a 25 kilometers long road linking the airport and the governorate center and 5000 square meters freight building.
ICAA contracted with the Turkish "Kiklop" company to take over the administration of design and supervision. The Turkish company is in charge of the new Istanbul airport, in addition to nine other airports in Uzbekistan, KSA, and Russia.