Iraq is set to have construction begin on a new airport in Karbala, KIA, which will have a runway bigger than Dubai International, according to Miles Roberts, general manager, Copperchase.
“We’ve cleared the concrete from the original runway to begin construction on a new one out of asphalt, and which wil l stretch 4.5 kilometres,” says Roberts.
UK-based systems and solutions provider Copperchase secured the contract to build the airport in 2014 and to operate it for 25 years.
Surveying and leveling has been completed and the company will soon begin Phase 1 of the project, to include a four-gate terminal, runway, apron, and ATC tower. Construction is expected to be completed by the middle of 2019.
Privately financed by Al Rida group and under license from Al Ataba Husseinia, KIA is being built at a cost of $247 million and is also being planned to include line maintenance and MRO operations, as well as a cargo village. Located 20 kilometres from Najaf, the city is vital to Iraq’s tourism industry, owing to the large number of pilgrims that visit it.
“We expect 300,000 visitors in the first half year of operations, but are planning for growth with successive phases,” says Roberts.