In 2012, 947,600  passengers used Erbil's new International Airport, a 53% increase on the previous year, whilst cargo tonnage also increased dramatically, with a 54% increase to 27,849 tonnes per annum. The 2012 passenger count brings the total number of passengers departing Erbil International Airport since the new terminal opened in September, 2010, to 1.7 million.

The increase in passenger and cargo numbers will help cement Erbil International Airport as one of the fastest growing in the Middle East and  underlines the wisdom of the KRG's fifth cabinet  and its then Prime Minister, Nichevan Barzani's decision to commission the new airport in 2004.

With an average of  13  flights a day, serving of 2,590 passengers daily , and   17 cargo flights a week, bringing in  550 tonnes of cargo, the airport has once again seen record growth in 2012 and is a solid reflection of what is happening with the economy in Kurdistan and Northern Iraq, with demand for travel growing and the demand for cargo imports growing.

The +53% increase in passenger numbers to 947,600  puts EIA, four years, and  56 % ahead of its own master plan. The independently produced plan had anticipated 608,400  passengers in 2012.

The most popular routes remain Istanbul and Dubai, with Turkish and Atlas leading the way on routes to the north, whilst Iraqi Airways continues to operate the most flights into Erbil with an average of around 95 a month.  New routes in 2012  have included Emirates to Dubai, Qatar Airways to Doha, Air Arabia to Sharjah, Mahan Air to Tehran . Flights to and from Erbil now connect to 15 countries and 23 different cities.

Commenting on the record growth, Airport Director Talar Faiq said:

"This has been an exciting and demanding year for the airport as it manages the very strong growth we are seeing. 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, eg. Emirates , Etihad and Qatar, new airlines arriving, eg Air Arabia, Mahan and Qatar. But the overiding factor in the growth of Erbil International Airport  is the demand created by the growing economy in the region.

Airports exist to serve their communities, and it is the demand within the region that is the dominant factor behind such impressive numbers.

Such growth brings with it challenges that we, as EIA, must respond to and manage, and it is a team effort that will ensure success. Security, Customs, Immigration are all agencies working at the airport who have an important role in responding to the increases in traffic and ensuring that passengers and cargo users have a positive experience. The number one objective is to operate a safe, secure and efficient airport . To help EIA achieve this we have introduced a number of key initiatives in 2012, including investment in air traffic  control, baggage handling systems, and planned increase in check in facilities and the long  awaited opening of the new 'meet and greet' building.

The decision to lift the ban on US registered planes coming to airports in Kurdistan in December was welcome news for EIA and we look forward in due course,  hopefully in 2013, to welcoming US aircraft to our airport. We are seeing interest from airlines in Europe and Asia, including China, and EIA is committed to facilitating and supporting the success of all airlines operating to and from Erbil.