BAGHDAD (AFP) — Civilian flights will start next month at a former military airport in the central Iraqi Shiite holy city of Najaf, the provincial government said on Sunday.
Al-Hamza airfield will be inaugurated as a civilian airport on July 20, the statement quoting Najaf governor Assaad Abugelel said.
"The runway has been successfully tested. The departure and arrival terminals are also ready," he said.
"We have also signed a contract with a Kuwaiti company to operate the airport for a month when it will train Iraqi staff in managing the facility."
Millions of Shiite pilgrims flock every year to Najaf, the home of Shiite Islam's most revered shrine of Imam Ali.
The new airport is expected to boost the number of pilgrims, especially from neighbouring Shiite Iran which has a deal with Baghdad to send 1,500 pilgrims a day all year round as part of efforts to boost trade.
Most Shiite Muslims visit Najaf and later tour the neighbouring Iraqi province of Karbala, home to the shrines of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas.
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