Iran to relocate Ahvaz airport as oil field found under runway

Ahvaz - The city of Ahvaz airport is to be relocated, as Iran has found an oil field under the runway. This has caused problems for a US plane who made an emergency landing there almost three weeks ago.

Director of the Iranian Airports Company, Mohammed Rasoulinejad, told Iranian TV on Friday that, "The Iranian Oil Ministry will acquire Ahvaz airport and a new airport will be built 15 kilometers from the city." Rasoulinejad said that the Cabinet has already negotiated the relocation of the airport and that construction on the new transport hub is due to start in the coming days. He added that the airport is among "the country's busiest" with some 30 flights per day and that the relocation would also enable its much-needed expansion. However, this is causing a problem for a US plane, which needed to make an emergency landing at the airport, due to technical problems. However, Rasoulinejad told Mehr news that, "After landing, the crew traveled on to countries around the Persian Gulf and the plane is currently being repaired." The find is an important one for Iran, who are currently under pressure from international sanctions, mainly over oil exports, imposed by the UN Security Council, the US and the EU. These sanctions have been imposed in an attempt to curb the Islamic Republic’s controversial nuclear program. According to OPEC, Iranian oil production fell by up to 60% this year. However, Iranian authorities deny that output was cut due to the sanctions, saying this was caused by maintenance of the oil fields.