Erbil International Airport (EIA ) in the Kurdistan region of Iraq has signed a partnership deal with Lufthansa Consulting, part of the Lufthansa Group, to support the development and implementation of its masterplan.
The contract will secure Lufthansa Consulting’s expertise across a range of airport disciplines including project management, planning, design, cargo, security and safety. The partnership represents the first stage in the long-term development of EIA and builds on a masterplan developed in 2014 that was shelved due to the economic downturn and war with Isis.
Talar Faiq, director general, Erbil International Airport, said, “The expertise that Lufthansa Consulting can bring is essential as we seek to develop and expand infrastructure and services at Erbil airport. Managing projects, keeping them on time and to budget, is a vital part of developing Kurdistan’s gateway to the world.
“In the coming months Erbil Airport will re-calibrate its masterplan to take into account new realities, of passenger growth, the anticipated increase in cargo activity and the very real increase in aircraft movements. Once our priorities are defined Erbil Airport will create design and implementation tenders and will, where appropriate, offer investment opportunities to the private sector. Lufthansa Consulting will support the airport’s own team, and will deploy their experts as needed.”
From September, Erbil Airport will commence several projects including repairs to the terminal roof, airfield and other infrastructure to be undertaken by construction firm Makyol. There is also plans for a US$17.5m, 18-month, landscaping project, and the construction of a US$7m water treatment plant.
Catrin Drawer, associate partner, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean, Lufthansa Consulting, said, “Lufthansa Consulting was honored to develop a new masterplan in 2014. We look forward to supporting Erbil International Airport and the Kurdistan Regional Government with expert resources as they seek to manage a range of complex projects across the airport site to upgrade the infrastructure and services for further business development and attracting potential investors.”
