Despite the complete restoration and structural readiness of Mosul International Airport, persistent technical difficulties have left the facility unable to accommodate commercial flights, raising questions over the delay.

Parliament Investigates Ongoing Delays

A delegation from the Iraqi Parliament recently conducted an official site visit to Mosul Airport to investigate the structural bottlenecks preventing the commencement of aviation operations. Lawmakers confirmed that while the physical infrastructure and construction phases are entirely finished, operational readiness is being stonewalled by technical hurdles.

Civil Aviation Authority Pledges Four-Month Resolution

Following the site inspection, the parliamentary delegation met with officials from the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) to address the logjam. The ICAA has officially pledged to resolve all outstanding technical and systemic complications within the next four months. Under this timeline, the airport is projected to be fully operational for both domestic and international routes by October 2026.

A Century of History: Iraq's Second-Largest Airport

By geographical footprint, Mosul Airport is recognized as the second-largest airport in Iraq. The historic site boasts a legacy dating back to 1920, when it was originally established by the British Royal Air Force (RAF). Over the subsequent decades, the strategic hub evolved to serve as a pivotal dual-use facility for both civil and military aviation.

Reconstruction Milestone Met With Empty Runways

The airport suffered catastrophic damage during the military campaigns to liberate the city from ISIS occupation. On August 10, 2022, former Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi laid the foundation stone to kick off the comprehensive reconstruction project.

Nearly three years later, on July 16, 2025, current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani officially inaugurated the reconstructed Mosul Airport. However, despite the high-profile ribbon-cutting ceremony, the ongoing technical discrepancies mean that not a single commercial flight has departed or landed at the facility to date.