Mosul Airport Reopens After Decade-Long Closure
Mosul Airport has officially reopened for the first time since 2014, following extensive reconstruction efforts after years of conflict. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani presided over the reopening ceremony on July 16, arriving aboard an aircraft to mark the occasion. He confirmed that the airport will begin commercial operations within two months, with Iraqi Airways expected to be the first airline to resume service.
The airport, designated OSM, was shut down in 2014 after the Islamic State group seized Mosul during its northern Iraq offensive. The battle to liberate the city caused extensive damage to the airport infrastructure, leaving it inoperable for nearly a decade. Reconstruction has been ongoing for several years as part of Iraq’s broader post-war recovery and infrastructure rebuilding program.
Al-Sudani emphasized the strategic importance of Mosul Airport in remarks published by the Iraqi News Agency, calling it a “vital gateway that increases integration in air transport between Iraqi airports and those in the region and around the world.” The reopening of OSM is seen as a significant step in reconnecting northern Iraq with global and regional travel networks.
The rebuilt airport features a 3,000-meter (9,840-foot) runway and is designed to handle 630,000 passengers and 30,000 tons of cargo annually. These capabilities will enhance both passenger and freight movement across Iraq, especially for the Nineveh province.
Iraqi Airways, which plans to lead the return of commercial flights to Mosul, currently operates a domestic network covering Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Kirkuk, Najaf, Nasiriyah, and Sulaymaniyah. Internationally, it serves 14 airports across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe and flies to 45 destinations from its Baghdad hub. The addition of Mosul back into its route network will mark a major milestone in Iraq’s civil aviation recovery.
The return of commercial flights to Mosul not only restores vital air connectivity but also symbolizes a return to stability and development in the region. The government’s investment in aviation infrastructure reflects its commitment to rebuilding Iraq’s transport sector and fostering economic growth through improved accessibility.
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