Najaf Provincial Council seizes control of Najaf Airport

Iraq's Najaf Provincial Council seized control of Najaf Airport in Jan-2010, claiming airport contractor, Aqeeq Aviation, invested only part of the USD50 million it had planned to provide (The State, 14-Feb-2010). As a result, the Iraqi Government was forced to pay for part of the new terminal, while the airstrip lacks adequate navigation and landing equipment, according to the council. Aqeeq Aviation responded stating it has invested into the airport, but is yet to invest the full USD50 million as local authorities violated a number of key points in its contract, including failing to turn over control of most of the airport, including the new terminal.