An international jury at the Emerging Markets Airport Show in Dubai has voted Erbil International Airport the best airport amongst emerging market airports with less than five million passengers per annum, across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Citing the exceptional growth, 53% in 2012, in passenger numbers to 947,400, and 54% in cargo tonnage, to 27,489 tonnes, the jury placed special emphasis on the positive feedback from passengers and the fact that such a new airport had launched and had such an impact.
“Erbil International Airport is one of the fastest growing airports across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Opening in September 2010, as an entirely new facility, the airport has got off to an amazing start. This award is a way of acknowledging the progress made in such a short period of time and draws attention to the fact that establishing a safe, secure and efficient airport in such a short timescale is an achievement that deserves our praise.” said Jury Chairman, and head of the Africa Logistics Association, Mr Ukata Chrissukata.
Thanking the Jury Chairman, Airport Director Talar Faiq said:
“Erbil International Airport is honored to receive such an award and our thanks go to the jury for their words of praise and acknowledgement of the progress we are making in Kurdistan. 2012 has been a challenging but rewarding year for Erbil International Airport. We are grateful to our airline partners who have seen the potential Erbil and Kurdistan has to offer and we look forward to welcoming more new airlines in due course as demand for air travel grows and the dynamic Kurdish economy expands.
“Airlines are only part of the story though. I must use this award to place on record my thanks to all the staff at EIA and to employees from the security, customs and immigration agencies. Successful airports are built on good team work. You can have the best hardware in the world in the form of infrastructure, buildings and facilities, but unless you have the software in the form of people, process and procedures they will not work.
“Thanks too must go the international companies that work with us, Incheon International Airport, Dnata, MX Care and Serco Middle East. Working together we are committed to raising standards and to building an infrastructure of local expertise in an area where previously no airport or aviation expertise existed.
“The award will take pride of place in the airport and motivate us to maintain our efforts to succeed. We are a gateway to Kurdistan and will continue our work to ensure our passengers and cargo users enjoy a positive experience.“
Erbil International Airport – facts:
Average of 13 passenger flights and 2590 daily4,800m runway, 6 fixed bridge gates and a further 16 gatesTerminal capacity 3m per annumPassengers in 2012 – 947,600Cargo tonnage 2012 – 27,849Services from Erbil now connect to 15 different countries, and 23 cities21 airlines now fly to Erbil International Airport
