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The Palestinian Authority (PA) said that it is ready to begin construction of an international airport in the West Bank, east of Jerusalem. The airport, which is planned for an 8-square-kilometer plot of land, would be part of the Palestinian government’s two-year state institution building plan. The project is valued at approximately $340 million.
Palestinian Minister of Transportation, Sadi al-Kurunz, said that “We are ready to start work on the plot in the first half of next year". It would have freight and passenger capacity and be built according to international standards, the minister said.
Kurunz also noted in his statement that the PA will be looking towards international donors to aid in the funding of the project. He explained the significance of this project, saying "An airport means sovereignty, freedom, progress and economic development." Training for staff, including pilots, has already begun, the minister added.
Minister Kurunz stated that the Palestinian Authority will not seek permission from Israel to carry out this project and cited the Oslo Accords which permits two airports, one in the West Bank and one in the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip used to have an airport, but it got destroyed in 2000 during the second intifada.
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