🇮🇶 Mosul International Airport

Mosul International Airport (IATA: OSM, ICAO: ORBM) is a joint civil and military airport located in Mosul, the capital of Nineveh Governorate, Iraq. Situated on the west bank of the Tigris, it serves the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

Type of Facility and Operations: Mosul International Airport is categorized as a joint civil/military airport. It has one concrete runway (15/33) measuring 2,650 meters (8,695 feet) in length. The airport is designated as an international airport of entry. After its recent reconstruction, it is positioned to support regional connectivity and economic recovery, with an anticipated capacity to handle up to 2 million passengers annually and 30,000 tons of cargo. It features modern security screening and digital passenger management systems.

Notable Features or History: The airfield has a long history, initially used by the British Royal Air Force at the end of World War I and serving as an RAF base during the British Mandate and World War II. It later became a major Iraqi Air Force base. The airport was rebuilt as a civil airport in 1990 with a concrete runway and a new terminal. Following major renovations, it reopened as a civilian airport in December 2007.

A significant part of its recent history includes its capture by ISIL militants in June 2014, during which the airport was destroyed. Iraqi government forces recaptured the airport in February 2017 as part of an offensive to retake Western Mosul. Post-recapture, de-mining operations were conducted between March 2018 and November 2019. The Iraqi government initiated a major rehabilitation and reconstruction project, with the foundation stone laid in August 2022. The reconstruction efforts included extending and widening the main runway, and building a new main terminal, VIP lounge, and an advanced radar surveillance system.

Current Status: Mosul International Airport has recently undergone extensive reconstruction and was formally reinaugurated. A trial landing by Iraqi Airways took place in June 2025, marking the resumption of air traffic. The airport became fully operational and open to all airlines with necessary approvals after a successful trial operation on June 5, 2025. Iraqi Airways is expected to be the first airline to operate flights to and from Mosul. While an initial reopening target was June 10, 2025, it was subsequently postponed, with the Prime Minister inaugurating the newly restored airport in July 2025. It is expected to be fully operational within two months of its July 2025 inauguration.