Erbil International Airport
Arbil, Iraq
Erbil International Airport
Gateway to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
- ›Located approximately 7 kilometers from central Erbil.
- ›Closed to international flights from September 2017 to March 2018 following the Kurdish independence referendum.
- ›Operates under the jurisdiction of the Kurdistan Regional Government rather than the Iraqi federal government.
- ›The airport saw a major boom in traffic during the 2010s oil boom in the Kurdistan Region.
- ›Has an elevation of approximately 1,341 feet (409 meters) above sea level.
Erbil International Airport serves the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, acting as the primary air link for one of the Middle East's most rapidly developing autonomous regions. Opened in 2005 and significantly expanded over the following decade, the airport reflects Erbil's transformation into a regional hub for business, diplomacy, and tourism. It handles a mix of international carriers connecting the city to Europe, the Gulf, and beyond, playing a vital economic role for Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Main Terminal — A single modern terminal handling all international and domestic arrivals and departures, with duty-free shops, lounges, and food outlets.
- Taxis from the official airport taxi rank outside arrivals
- Private hire and app-based ride services (local operators)
- Hotel shuttle buses arranged through major hotels
- Car rental desks available inside the terminal
- Rotana Erbil
- Divan Erbil
- Kempinski Erbil
- Erbil Arjaan by Rotana
- Ramada Erbil
Inside the terminal, passengers can find a modest selection of cafes and fast-food outlets offering both local Kurdish cuisine and international snacks. The city of Erbil, just a short drive away, is rich with traditional restaurants serving grilled meats, rice dishes, and Kurdish mezze. Visitors are encouraged to explore the dining scene around the historic Erbil Citadel for an authentic culinary experience.
- Confirm visa requirements carefully — the Kurdistan Region operates its own entry policy, which may differ from the rest of Iraq.
- Carry local Iraqi dinars (IQD) as not all taxis and small businesses accept cards or US dollars reliably.
- Arrive well ahead of your flight as security checks can be thorough and queues unpredictable during peak travel times.
- Flight schedules can change with limited notice, so confirm your departure details directly with your airline before heading to the airport.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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Erbil International Airport, is an airport in the city of Erbil in Kurdistan Region, Iraq. It is one of two international airports in the KRI, the other being Sulaymaniyah Airport, with a third in Duhok being under construction. The current airport opened in 2005 and has one of the longest runways in the world.
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