Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is expected to inaugurate Mosul International Airport in June by flying from Baghdad to the northern city of Mosul for the official opening ceremony.
During a previous visit to the site in December, Al-Sudani reviewed construction progress and instructed local authorities to open the airport on June 10—a symbolic date that marks the anniversary of Mosul’s occupation by ISIS. His decision is meant to underscore a message of resilience and defiance against terrorism.
Mohammed Kakayi, head of the Nineveh Provincial Council’s Security Committee, confirmed to Rudaw News that the Prime Minister will personally attend the inauguration and arrive by air.
Mosul International Airport, previously destroyed by ISIS, ranks as Iraq’s third most important airport after those in Baghdad and Basra. Originally established as a civilian airport in 1990, it was reopened on December 2, 2007, following major upgrades. However, in June 2014, the facility was seized and repurposed as a military base by ISIS militants, until Iraqi forces recaptured it on February 23, 2017.
Post-liberation, the airport underwent significant restoration. De-mining operations concluded in November 2019, paving the way for comprehensive reconstruction efforts. In December 2020, the Iraqi government signed agreements with SEA Milan Airports and Aéroports de Paris Ingénierie to complete the renovation according to international standards.
In a statement made in late October, Iraqi Minister of Transport Razzaq Al-Saadawi confirmed the airport’s reconstruction adheres to global aviation norms.
The reopening of Mosul International Airport is seen as a pivotal step in reestablishing northern Iraq’s connectivity and boosting the local economy. For the residents of Nineveh Province, the airport’s revival is a significant milestone in the broader national efforts to rebuild infrastructure and revitalize transportation networks after years of conflict.
Source: IraqiNews.com
