Al Najaf International Airport
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Al Najaf International Airport
| nativename =
| nativename-a =
| nativename-r =
| image = Najaf Airport.png
| image-width = 250
| image2 = AL NAJAF AL ASHRAF INT.AIRPORT - panoramio.jpg
| image2-width = 250
| caption =
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| IATA = NJF
| ICAO = ORNI
| pushpin_map = Iraq
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_mark = Airplane_silhouette.svg
| pushpin_label = NJF
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Iraq
| owner =
| operator = Najaf Airport Authority
| location =
| hub = Iraqi Airways
UR Airlines
| elevation-f = 103
| elevation-m =
| coordinates = {{coord|31|59|23|N|44|24|15|E|display=inline,title}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.alnajafairport.net}}
| metric-elev =
| metric-rwy =
| r1-number = 10/28
| r1-length-f = 9,842
| r1-length-m = 3,000
| r1-surface = Asphalt
| stat-year = 2022
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 2,686,074
| stat2-header = Aircraft operations
| stat2-data = 23,327
| footnotes = Source: ICAA,{{cite web|url=https://icaa.gov.iq/upload/2469594738.pdf|title=Iraq's AIP. Consolidated edition, February, 2021|accessdate= June 15, 2024}} COSIT.{{cite web |title=اﻟﻧﻘل اﻟﺟوي ﻓﻲ اﻟﻘطﺎع اﻟﺣﮐوﻣﻲ إﺣﺻﺎء ﻧﺷﺎط ﺔـ ﻟﺳﻧ 2022|script-title= |url=https://ftp.cosit.gov.iq/documents/transportation%20and%20communication/transportation/fullreports/eartrans/%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%202022.pdf|accessdate=2024-06-15 |publisher=Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COSIT)}}
}}
Al Najaf International Airport (IATA: NJF; ICAO: ORNI) is an international airport serving Najaf, Iraq, and is located on the eastern side of the city. Formerly a military airbase, the airport consists of one asphalt runway, measuring {{convert|3000|m}} long and {{convert|45|m}} wide. The airport is expanding to provide four departure gates, two arrival gates, immigration and passenger services.
History
On 20 July 2008 the Najaf Authorities hosted the ceremonial opening attended by the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki who stepped out of the first official plane.{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/11081/najaf-airport-provides-travel-economic-boost-to-southern-provinces/ |title=Najaf Airport provides travel, economic boost to southern provinces |last=Sauret |first=Michel |date=22 July 2008 |work=Army News |publisher=United States Army |access-date=22 January 2009 |archive-date=14 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114143924/http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/07/22/11081-najaf-airport-provides-travel-economic-boost-to-southern-provinces/ |url-status=live }}
The Najaf Governorate represented by the Deputy Governor Abd al-Husayn Abtan and Najaf Investment Commission{{cite web|url=http://www.investnajaf.com |title=investnajaf.com |access-date=1 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801172447/http://investnajaf.com/ |archive-date=1 August 2015 }} signed a Memorandum of Agreement dated 24 June 2008 with Al-Aqeelah Holding{{cite web|url=http://www.al-aqeelah.com |title=Al Aqeelah Leasing Financing & Investment Co. |access-date=1 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602015724/http://www.al-aqeelah.com/ |archive-date=2 June 2015 }} authorizing it for one year to finalize the construction of the airport and five years subject to renewal to manage the airport. Currently Aqeeq Aviation Holding a subsidiary of Al-Aqeelah Holding is overseeing this.
The construction phase comprises the construction of the VIP lounge, Arrival and Departure Halls, Taxiway, Air cargo, purchasing all airport equipments including Ground Handling Equipments, technical supplies, Navigation Aids, Dining Facilities and lodging sites for employees.
Since 2009, more airlines have begun service to Najaf, including Gulf Air, Middle East Airlines, Qatar Airways, Syrian Air and Turkish Airlines.
Airlines and destinations
{{Airport destination list
| Air Arabia | Sharjah
| ATA Airlines | Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz, Tehran–Imam Khomeini, Yazd
| AVA Airlines | Mashhad
| Caspian Airlines | Isfahan, Mashhad, Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| {{nowrap|Cham Wings Airlines}} | Damascus (suspended)
| Flydubai | Dubai–International
|Gulf Air | Bahrain{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240527-gfjun24njf|title=GULF AIR RESUMES NAJAF SERVICE FROM JUNE 2024 |access-date=28 May 2024}}
| Iran Air | Isfahan, Mashhad,{{cite web|url=https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iran-restores-Mashhad-Najaf-direct-flights|title=Iran Air restores Mashhad-Najaf direct flights|date=15 February 2025}} Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| Iran Airtour | Mashhad, Tabriz, Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| {{nowrap|Iran Aseman Airlines}} | Isfahan, Mashhad, Shiraz, Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| Iraqi Airways | Ahmedabad, Baghdad, Bahrain, Beirut, Copenhagen, Erbil, Isfahan, Islamabad,{{cite web | url=https://nation.com.pk/2022/07/27/iraq-airways-to-start-6-flights-for-pakistan-in-a-week/ | title=Iraqi adds flights to Islamabad | date=27 July 2022 | access-date=4 August 2022}} Istanbul, Karachi, Kuwait City, Mashhad, Mumbai, Sulaimaniyah, Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| Jazeera Airways | Kuwait City
| Kish Air | Seasonal: Isfahan, Shiraz, Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| Kuwait Airways | Kuwait City
| Mahan Air | Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| Meraj Airlines | Isfahan, Mashhad, Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| Middle East Airlines | Beirut
| Pars Air | Kerman,{{cite web|url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/2011923/%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%AF%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%AF|title=Kerman to Najaf flights have resumed|date=17 January 2025}} Mashhad, Shiraz
| Qatar Airways | Doha
| Qeshm Air | Isfahan, Mashhad, Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| Royal Jordanian | Amman–Queen Alia
| Syrian Air | Damascus (suspended)
| Taban Air | Kish, Mashhad, Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| UR Airlines | Beirut, Damascus (suspended)
| Varesh Airlines | Isfahan, Mashhad, Sari, Tehran–Imam Khomeini
| Yazd Airways | Kerman,{{cite web|url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/2011923/%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%AF%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%AF|title=Kerman to Najaf flights have resumed|date=17 January 2025}} Tehran–Imam Khomeini, Yazd
| Zagros Airlines | Isfahan, Mashhad, Tehran–Imam Khomeini
}}
Statistics
In 2015 and 2016, Al Najaf International Airport was the busiest airport in Iraq by passenger traffic, but as of 2022 it ranks as the second-busiest, only behind Baghdad International Airport. However, it is still the busiest airport in the country by international passenger traffic.
| class="wikitable" | ||||||
| scope=col rowspan="2" | Year
! scope=col colspan="2" | Passengers ! scope=col colspan="2" | Cargo ! scope=col colspan="2" | Aircraft operations | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| scope=col | Total || %YoY || Tons || %YoY || Movements || %YoY | ||||||
| style="text-align:right;"
| 2015 | {{formatnum:2783444}} | N.D. | N.D. | N.D. | {{formatnum:20510}} | N.D. |
| style="text-align:right;"
| 2016 | {{formatnum:3435783}} | {{increase}} 23.4% | {{formatnum:5.2}} | N.D. | {{formatnum:27652}} | {{increase}} 34.8% |
| style="text-align:right;"
| 2017 | {{formatnum:3198043}} | {{decrease}} 6.9% | {{formatnum:7.8}} | {{increase}} 50.0% | {{formatnum:27234}} | {{decrease}} 1.5% |
| style="text-align:right;"
| 2018 | {{formatnum:2793219}} | {{decrease}} 12.7% | {{formatnum:8.6}} | {{increase}} 10.3% | {{formatnum:22835}} | {{decrease}} 16.2% |
| style="text-align:right;"
| 2019 | {{formatnum:1989680}} | {{decrease}} 28.8% | {{formatnum:1.6}} | {{decrease}} 81.4% | {{formatnum:18346}} | {{decrease}} 19.7% |
| style="text-align:right;"
| 2020 | {{formatnum:272770}} | {{decrease}} 86.3% | N.D. | {{decrease}} 100.0% | {{formatnum:2836}} | {{decrease}} 84.6% |
| style="text-align:right;"
| 2021 | {{formatnum:885264}} | {{increase}} 224.5% | N.D. | {{steady}} 0.0% | {{formatnum:8448}} | {{increase}} 197.9% |
| style="text-align:right;"
| 2022 | {{formatnum:2686074}} | {{increase}} 203.4% | {{formatnum:24174.7}} | N.D. | {{formatnum:23327}} | {{increase}} 176.1% |
Source: COSIT. Air Transport Activity Statistics, years 2015,{{cite web |title=اﻟﻧﻘل اﻟﺟوي ﻓﻲ اﻟﻘطﺎع اﻟﺣﮐوﻣﻲ إﺣﺻﺎء ﻧﺷﺎط ﺔـ ﻟﺳﻧ 2015|script-title= |url=https://cosit.gov.iq/documents/transportation%20and%20communication/transportation/fullreports/eartrans/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1%20%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A1%D8%A7%D8%AA%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%202015.pdf|accessdate=2024-06-15 |publisher=Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COSIT)}} 2016,{{cite web |title=اﻟﻧﻘل اﻟﺟوي ﻓﻲ اﻟﻘطﺎع اﻟﺣﮐوﻣﻲ إﺣﺻﺎء ﻧﺷﺎط ﺔـ ﻟﺳﻧ 2016|script-title= |url=https://www.cosit.gov.iq/documents/transportation%20and%20communication/transportation/fullreports/eartrans/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1%20%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A1%D8%A7%D8%AA%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%20%202016%20.pdf|accessdate=2024-06-15 |publisher=Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COSIT)}} 2017,{{cite web |title=اﻟﻧﻘل اﻟﺟوي ﻓﻲ اﻟﻘطﺎع اﻟﺣﮐوﻣﻲ إﺣﺻﺎء ﻧﺷﺎط ﺔـ ﻟﺳﻧ 2017|script-title= |url=https://cosit.gov.iq/documents/transportation%20and%20communication/transportation/fullreports/eartrans/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1%20%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A1%D8%A7%D8%AA%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%20%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A9%202017.pdf|accessdate=2024-06-15 |publisher=Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COSIT)}} 2018,{{cite web |title=اﻟﻧﻘل اﻟﺟوي ﻓﻲ اﻟﻘطﺎع اﻟﺣﮐوﻣﻲ إﺣﺻﺎء ﻧﺷﺎط ﺔـ ﻟﺳﻧ 2018|script-title= |url=https://www.cosit.gov.iq/documents/transportation%20and%20communication/transportation/fullreports/eartrans/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1%20%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A1%D8%A7%D8%AA%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%20%202018%20.pdf|accessdate=2024-06-15 |publisher=Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COSIT)}} 2019,{{cite web |title=اﻟﻧﻘل اﻟﺟوي ﻓﻲ اﻟﻘطﺎع اﻟﺣﮐوﻣﻲ إﺣﺻﺎء ﻧﺷﺎط ﺔـ ﻟﺳﻧ 2019|script-title= |url=https://cosit.gov.iq/documents/transportation%20and%20communication/transportation/fullreports/eartrans/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1%20%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A1%D8%A7%D8%AA%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%202019-2.pdf|accessdate=2024-06-15 |publisher=Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COSIT)}} 2020,{{cite web |title=اﻟﻧﻘل اﻟﺟوي ﻓﻲ اﻟﻘطﺎع اﻟﺣﮐوﻣﻲ إﺣﺻﺎء ﻧﺷﺎط ﺔـ ﻟﺳﻧ 2020|script-title= |url=https://cosit.gov.iq/documents/transportation%20and%20communication/transportation/fullreports/eartrans/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1%20%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A1%D8%A7%D8%AA%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%202020.pdf|accessdate=2024-06-15 |publisher=Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COSIT)}} 2021{{cite web |title=اﻟﻧﻘل اﻟﺟوي ﻓﻲ اﻟﻘطﺎع اﻟﺣﮐوﻣﻲ إﺣﺻﺎء ﻧﺷﺎط ﺔـ ﻟﺳﻧ 2021|script-title= |url=https://cosit.gov.iq/documents/transportation%20and%20communication/transportation/fullreports/eartrans/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1%20%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A1%D8%A7%D8%AA%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%202021.pdf|accessdate=2024-06-15 |publisher=Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COSIT)}} and 2022.{{cite web |title=اﻟﻧﻘل اﻟﺟوي ﻓﻲ اﻟﻘطﺎع اﻟﺣﮐوﻣﻲ إﺣﺻﺎء ﻧﺷﺎط ﺔـ ﻟﺳﻧ 2022|script-title= |url=https://ftp.cosit.gov.iq/documents/transportation%20and%20communication/transportation/fullreports/eartrans/%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%202022.pdf|accessdate=2024-06-15 |publisher=Central Organization for Statistics and Information Technology (COSIT)}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Portalbar|Iraq|Aviation}}
{{Airports in Iraq}}
{{Airports the Middle East}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Najaf}}