Rashad Omar, the supervisor of Irbil airport is optimistic about the status of the airport to be recognized as an international airport. He said in that he was confident that a delegation of international inspectors will determine soon that Irbil airport meets the requirements to be categorized an international airport. 
Omar added, according to Alitihad newspaper, that the authority responsible of the airport implemented what is needed to meet these requirements by building special taxiways and building modern control tower at the cost of US$9 million.
He added that Irbil airport is considered an important airport for the Kurdish areas. Omar expected It will attract investors and it will ease the export and import activities. Omar added that Irbil airport has signed many agreements to launch flights to Dubai , Amman , Baghdad and European destinations.
The expansion of the airport is expected by the end of 2006 with a total cost of US$105 million. This will enable the airport to handle with 4-5 million passengers annually. In addition, the authorities hope to establish a Kurdish military college with the assistance of the Jordanian Airlines.
The manger of the airport, Zayad Zwein, said that this airport won't be the only one in the Kurdish areas. He expressed his hope that many exiled Kurds will come and visit their homeland via this airport.
© 2005 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
