ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani officially opened Mosul International Airport on Wednesday, ending an 11-year closure, with the reopening coinciding with the anniversary of the city’s liberation from the Islamic State (ISIS).

Prime Minister Sudani praised the airport for boosting "economic and development opportunities in Nineveh,” according to a statement from his office.

He inspected the airport's departments, facilities, reception, and departure halls, and visited the control tower, commending the efforts of the workers and contractors. He also praised the Nineveh Governorate for completing this significant project.

According to the prime minister, the airport will be fully operational within two months.

Mosul International Airport is considered a key gateway that will improve air transport links between Iraqi airports, regional destinations, and global markets, as part of a broad development plan launched by the government.

Sudani initially set June 10 as the reopening date to mark 11 years since ISIS militants seized the city.

On June 10, 2014, ISIS captured Mosul, and from there declared its "caliphate."

After three years, Iraqi forces, aided by a US-led international coalition and Kurdish Peshmerga, liberated the city after nearly ten months of intense fighting.

During ISIS rule, the airport was heavily damaged, almost completely destroyed in the conflict.

In August 2022, then-Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi laid the foundation stone for rebuilding the airport with an estimated cost of $140 million.

The revamped airport is designed to handle large passenger and cargo aircraft.

"The airport's annual capacity will be approximately 630,000 passengers, and its annual cargo capacity will be about 30,000 tons,” according to the statement.