Iraq reverses 2024 airport management restructuring

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Cabinet has approved reconnecting the Airports Management Department to the General Company for Air Navigation Services, reversing a restructuring introduced less than two years ago and marking the latest change in the administration of the country’s airports.

The Transport Ministry said Sunday that the Cabinet voted June 20 to “re-link the Iraqi Airports Management Department to the General Company for Air Navigation Services.” The decision, based on a proposal by Transport Minister Wahab al-Hassani, aims to strengthen coordination between entities with overlapping responsibilities, support strategic development and construction plans, and enhance specialized work within the ministry.

The move follows a series of changes to Iraq’s aviation management structure in recent years. In November 2023, the Cabinet separated airport management from the Civil Aviation Authority and transferred it to the Transport Ministry through the General Company for Airports and Air Navigation, a step officials said was meant to separate regulatory and operational responsibilities in line with international standards and let the Civil Aviation Authority focus on oversight. In November 2024, a further restructuring detached airport management from that company, linked it directly to the ministry as an independent department, and renamed the company the General Company for Air Navigation Services, removing airport management from its mandate. Airport assets, employees and contractual obligations were transferred to the ministry.

Saturday’s vote reverses that 2024 decision, restoring the department’s connection to the company as the government continues to reshape Iraq’s civil aviation sector.