Karbala International Airport to handle 20 million passengers annually
Karbala International Airport. Photo: Wikimapia
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The chairwoman of the National Investment Commission, Suha Daoud Najjar, confirmed that Karbala International Airport reflects the bright image of local investments, during a meeting with officials from Karbala held in the airport work site.
The meeting was attended by the legal guardian of the Hussainiya Holy Shrine, Sheikh Abdul Mahdi Al-Karbalai, Governor of Karbala Nassif Jassem Al-Khattabi, local officials, and officials from the National Investment Commission.
Najjar explained that the Iraqi competencies are capable of implementing large investment projects, and indicated that this project sponsored by the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine will facilitate the entry of foreign visitors to the governorate, especially during occasions where millions of visitors travel to Iraq such as the Arbaeen visit.
Najjar, in a speech she delivered during the meeting, indicated that this project will contribute to promoting sustainable development, provide thousands of job opportunities, and increase the economic resources for the national income.
Najjar commended the efforts exerted to implement this project, and mentioned that the National Investment Commission will work to overcome obstacles to complete this project.
Karbala International Airport project is designed by the French ADP company that has a long history in the field of airport design, and is implemented under the supervision of the Manhal Al-Haboubi Engineering Consulting Office.
The project will be implemented in four phases. The first phase will allow the airport to accommodate three million passengers annually, the second will expand the capacity to six million passengers, the third will increase the capacity to 18 million passengers, and the last phase will increase it 20 million passengers.
Karbala International Airport is located between the cities of Najaf and Karbala, about 32 kilometers (20 miles) southeast of Karbala, and is expected to start operating by the end of 2023.