Erbil Airport reports strong growth in passenger and cargo traffic in 2012

Iraq's Erbil International Airport reported (23-Jan-2013) passenger traffic increased 53% year-on-year to 947,600 and cargo traffic increased 54% to 27,849 tonnes in 2012. The airport attributed the increases to the improving economy of Kurdistan and northern Iraq resulting in increased demand for travel and imports. Erbil International Airport director Talar Faiq said, "That growth is due to a number of factors, which include, airlines competing for market share, for example to the Gulf states, other airlines, seeking to use Erbil passenger traffic as an important feeder for their long-haul routes...[and] new airlines arriving. But the overriding factor in the growth of Erbil International Airport is the demand created by the growing economy in the region." [more - original PR]