The new $300 million world-class international airport and terminal at Erbil, Iraq, is being showcased at a major event in the city.

The new Erbil International Airport has undergone a major expansion and features one of the longest runways in the world built at a cost of $4.8 million, said the director of the Iraqi airport.

Talar Faiq was speaking at the inaugural edition of the annual Airports Expansion, Cargo and Logistics Conference and Exhibition, organised by Arabian Reach, the UAE-based company.

“Erbil International Airport works closely with 13 carriers serving 23 destinations. In 2010, we recorded over 454,000 passengers, which marked an increase of 178 per cent in passenger traffic compared to 2006,” Faiq added.

“This also reflects the high safety and security standards that we adhere to, as well as our ambitious plans to be on par with the world’s leading airports by offering state-of-the-art facilities,” she concluded.

The two-day event opened yesterday (April 27) at Erbil Convention Center in Erbil with the participation of over 2,000 visitors from 33 countries across the world.

UAE visitors alone comprise 35 per cent of the total number of visitors, a statement said.

The provides a strategic platform for networking and business development opportunities for all companies operating in the aviation, airports, cargo and logistics sectors, and are keen to tap into the lucrative market of Iraq, it added. – TradeArabia News Service