Kirkuk International Airport

The Kirkuk International Airport (IATA: KIK, ICAO: ORKK) is an airport located Kirkuk, Iraq. The airport officially opened in 20th October, 2022 for civil visitors.[2][3]

Kirkuk Airport
Summary
Airport typeMilitary/Public
OperatorKirkuk Airport Authority
ServesKirkuk
LocationIraq
Elevation AMSL1,061 ft / 323 m
Coordinates35°28′10″N 44°20′56″E
Map
KIK is located in Iraq
KIK
KIK
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
13/31 9,809 2,990 Concrete
14/32 8,535 2,601 Concrete
2,624 800 Asphalt
1,066 325 Graded Earth
Source: DAFIF[1]
An Iraqi Air Force Cessna 172 lands at Kirkuk Air Base.

Since 2003, the airport was used by the U.S. Air Force as a military airport. It was returned to the Iraqi Army in November 2011.[4] In 2012, the Iraqi Transportation Ministry decided to move the military section to another location, a prerequisite for turning the air base into a civilian airport.[5] According to the (Nazaha) committee, the government allocated 93.5 million dollars from the airport project.[6][7]

History

At the onset of the Iran-Iraq War, Al-Hurriah was the main airbase use by the newly purchased Mirage F1s. It was bombed in Operation Sultan 10 in 1980 in the early phase of the war.

Kirkuk Regional Air Base was home to the 506th Air Expeditionary Group. The group maintained base security, conducted safe flying operations and actively supported base agencies in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and other U.S. Air Forces Central and U.S. Central Command contingency plans.

Approximately 1,000 active-duty, Reserve and Guard Airmen were assigned to the 506th AEG during any given Air Expeditionary Force rotation. Additionally, approximately 5,000 soldiers are assigned to the installation, commonly known as Forward Operating Base Warrior. As of July 2011, the majority of these soldiers were assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, U.S. 1st Infantry Division, and the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division.

The 506th AEG was the most forward deployed Air Force Group in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The heritage of the 506th AEG is tied to the famous 506th Fighter Group of World War II.

Among the base agencies the 506th AEG actively supports is the Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team[8] (PRT).

Airlines and destinations

The airport reopened to civilian aircraft in 2022.

AirlinesDestinations
Fly Baghdad Medina
Iraqi Airways Ankara,[9] Baghdad, Istanbul,[10] Baku
Mahan Air Tehran–Imam Khomeini[11]
Turkish Airlines Istanbul[12]

Location

Kirkuk RAB lies in northeastern region of Iraq in the outskirts of the city of Kirkuk, one of the largest metropolitan areas in Iraq. Kirkuk is approximately 180 mi (290 km) north of Baghdad.

References
  1. "Airport information for ORKK". World Aero Data. Archived from the original on 2019-03-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) Data current as of October 2006. Source: DAFIF.
  2. "Iraq inaugurates new Kirkuk International airport". Iraq inaugurates new Kirkuk International airport. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  3. "Iraq opens new airport in Kirkuk". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  4. "US Ghosts Left at Kirkuk Base After Iraqi Army Fled". ABC News. June 16, 2014.
  5. "Military section of Kirkuk airport to be moved". 23 February 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  6. "Kirkuk Airport | SKYbrary Aviation Safety". Skybrary.aero. Archived from the original on 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  7. Shilani, Mustafa (2019-09-26). "Iraq integrity commission says Kirkuk airport 'only one percent completed'". www.kurdistan24.net. Archived from the original on 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  8. "Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team". Archived from the original on 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
  9. "Iraqi Airways Begins Kirkuk – Turkey Service From Nov 2022". Aeroroutes. 31 October 2022.
  10. "Iraqi Airways Begins Kirkuk – Turkey Service From Nov 2022". Aeroroutes. 31 October 2022.
  11. https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230405-w5kik
  12. "Turkish Airlines Now Flies To 6 Cities In Iraq Following Kirkuk Launch". Simple Flying. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
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