Air traffic congestion at Ahvaz's only airport and the lack of space to expand the congested aerodrome means the capital of Khuzestan Province needs a new airport, and fast.
According to Rahmatollah Mahabadi, chief executive of Iran's Airports Company, the location of the current airport makes further expansion nearly impossible, necessitating the construction of a new one.
There are already projects underway to build a new terminal for international flights and renovate the terminal for domestic flights, with the total budget for both said to be around 200 billion rials ($5.7 million), ISNA reported.
The projects are scheduled to be completed by the yearend (March 20, 2017).
"We've already selected the location for the new airport. We only need to iron out the details regarding land ownership," he said on Thursday during a visit to Ahvaz Airport.
"Construction of a new airport is a national necessity."
More than 500 weekly flights land in and take off from the airport, which is said to be about 300% more than the airport's capacity.
Mahabadi said it is imperative to alleviate pressure on the current airport before work begins on the new one, which will be at least partially funded and built by international companies.
"We've had constructive negotiations with potential investors … We've received various offers from different firms but we're taking our time to choose the best one," he said, noting that there is no bias in choosing the firm or the country in which they are based.
Meanwhile, two Italian firms have won bids to expand Tehran's Mehrabad Airport and Tabriz International Airport, which could suggest that the company trusts Italian firms.
Addressing concerns about the possible environmental impacts of building a new, bigger airport, the official said provincial environment officials will conduct an impact assessment and ensure the project's complete compliance with regulations.
"We're only looking to build an airport and nothing more, and we hope to be able to build it soon without violating environmental standards," he said.
Mahabadi announced that construction will begin as soon as land ownership issues are resolved.
