The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has completed a new, modern design for the planned Duhok International Airport, with construction phases set to commence imminently through a partnership with a leading international firm.

The announcement was made by the Region’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Ano Jawhar, in a statement to the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) official website on Saturday.

Minister Jawhar revealed that the original design for the airport was drafted over a decade ago and had become obsolete due to rapid advancements in global aviation standards.

“Due to developments in aviation, many countries have built new airports and updated their designs. Airports evolve year after year, so we needed to update the plan for Duhok International Airport,” Jawhar explained.

The updated design was finalized in 2023 to meet contemporary requirements. The minister confirmed that the government is now collaborating with a "well-known international company" to bring the project to life.

“In the near future, we will begin building in phases, and upon completion, the airport will serve the citizens of the Kurdistan Region,” Jawhar added.

Located approximately 147 kilometers (91 miles) northwest of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, Duhok is a major economic and cultural hub. Upon its completion, the new airport will establish Duhok as the region's third international air gateway, alongside the existing international airports in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.