Sulaymaniyah Airport Now Bears the Name of Iraq's first Kurdish president Jalal Talabani

Peregraf — Authorities have officially announced the renaming of Sulaymaniyah International Airport to Jalal Talabani International Airport, following the completion of internal and international procedures and a decision by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority on March 19, 2026.

In a press statement, airport officials described the move as a "historic event" honoring Jalal Talabani, Iraq's first Kurdish president and the late Secretary-General and one of the founders of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

"We are pleased to announce, after completing all procedures, the official change of the airport's name," the statement read, expressing gratitude to all parties involved in what it described as a significant step reflecting Talabani's legacy and stature.

The statement also addressed citizens and travelers, describing the renaming as a tribute to a leader whose legacy, in the airport authorities' framing, continues to inspire public service. Sulaymaniyah, often referred to by Talabani as "the city of life," is a stronghold of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.

Born in 1933 in Kelkan, near Sulaymaniyah, Talabani served as President of Iraq from 2005 to 2014 and was a central figure in Kurdish and Iraqi politics for decades. He passed away on October 3, 2017, in Berlin, Germany.