The airport, originally rendered inoperative during ISIS’s control of Mosul between 2014 and 2017, was fully destroyed in the fighting and only recaptured by Iraqi forces in February 2017. Reconstruction began in 2022 under former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, and today marks a critical milestone in restoring vital infrastructure in Nineveh province.

According to airport director Ammar al-Bayati, Mosul International is now capable of handling both domestic and international flights, with Turkey and Jordan expected to be among the first international destinations. Its passenger terminal is built to serve up to 630,000 travelers annually, while cargo handling is projected at 30,000 tons per year.

Officials say the project was completed with support from Turkish construction firms and is expected to boost economic activity and tourism in the region. The airport’s reopening reflects a broader effort by Baghdad to rebuild Mosul’s civil and transport infrastructure, once a symbol of ISIS’s caliphate.

With commercial flights resuming soon, Iraqi authorities hope the airport will reconnect Mosul with key Arab and regional capitals, aiding not only economic revival but also social reintegration after years of war