Airport Director General Talar Faiq said:
"The growth at the airport reflects the dynamism of the region's economy. We welcomed two new airlines in 2013, Zagros Jet and Georgian Airlines, compared with more than five in 2012. Which in part explains the fall in growth rate from 53% in 2012, to 26% in 2013.
Other factors influencing traffic at the airport include the policies of Baghdad's ICAA which continue to hold the development of the airport back, refusing flight permissions and denying extra services to Turkish Airlines, and Qatar for example, or in the case of Lufthansa, cutting services from four to two a week.
We look forward to welcoming new airlines in 2014 and we are in discussions with several. It is to be hoped too that the frequencies for Lufthansa can be restored and other airlines are allowed to increase in response to market conditions.
The growth in passengers and cargo brings challenges which we are addressing with new plans for the terminal to accommodate growth and bringing on-line new cargo facilities.
My thanks and appreciation go to the EIA staff, and the partner agencies at the airport, and our private sector partners.
EIA remains committed to its number one priority the safe, secure and efficient passage of passengers through the airport and will continue to develop its role as a gateway to the region and the country."
(Source: EIA)
Comments are closed.