Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) and AFM Group have selected ADB Airfield Solutions to modernize Basra International Airport, the country’s second busiest airport.

This will facilitate safer landings, support more flights at night or in poor weather, thus improving air connectivity to Basra province, a major oil and gas hub in Iraq’s south-east. With this, ADB expands its presence in Iraq, already having supported airport upgrades at Baghdad, the country’s capital and Erbil, another oil and gas hub.

“The Basra International Airport project is a part of a major initiative by the Iraqi government to completely modernize the country’s military and commercial airport infrastructure and prepare for economic growth,” said Christian Onselaere, CEO ADB. “Our selection reflects Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority’s confidence in our solutions and our ability to understand their requirements, provide several viable options and deliver a complete solution.”

ADB will deliver and install equipment and systems that support a CAT II airfield, including airfield ground lighting (AGL), power solutions such as CCR (Constant Current Regulator), ALCMS (Airfield Lighting Control and Monitoring System) which will allow Basra airport’s maintenance personnel to monitor AGL remotely, and improve operational and cost efficiency, as well as ease maintenance. The project scope includes design, project management and consultancy, testing and commissioning.

The project, won in collaboration with the AFM Group, is scheduled to be completed by April 2014.