A contract for the development of a civilian airport in Iraq has been awarded to a Chinese group by Iraqi authorities. As per a report by the Iraqi News Agency, the new Nasiriyah Airport will replace the existing military base in the capital of the southern Dhi Qar governorate.

The as yet unnamed Chinese group’s scope of work includes the construction of a cargo building, as well as roads linking the airport to the city’s town centre, the report noted.

Once complete, the Nasiriyah Airport will be able to handle 750,000 passengers per annum. The report stated that the airport is expected to be complete within a three-year period.

The foundation stone for the project was laid by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi. He stated that the new airport is an attractive tourism and investment project for Iraq.