A Chinese company building a civilian airport in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah is expected to finish the project before the end of 2025, according to local authorities.

China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) is constructing the airport under an oil-for-projects agreement signed between Iraq and China nearly six years ago. The facility is being built on a former army base and will have an annual capacity of approximately 750,000 passengers.

“There is coordination between the local government and Baghdad to finish this project on time,” said Murtada Al Ibrahimi, the governor of Dhi Qar province, adding, “We expect the airport to be ready before the end of the year.”

The project also includes a cargo building and a 25-kilometre motorway connecting the airport to key areas of the province.