On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, a ceremony was held to celebrate the renaming of Sulaymaniyah International Airport to Jalal Talabani International Airport. The event was attended by Iraqi President Nizar Amedi, KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, and Ihsan Al-Awadi, representing the Iraqi Prime Minister.
Hosted by Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Sabir, President of the President Jalal Talabani Foundation, the ceremony was jointly organized by the Office of the KRG Deputy Prime Minister and the airport administration. It was attended by numerous senior officials from both the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, alongside party leaders.
The event began with a documentary film showcasing the airport's history, followed by welcoming remarks and a keynote address by Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Sabir.
"We warmly welcome you to this historic moment," Dr. Sabir said. "This is not merely a routine event, but a national milestone of profound significance in our journey of solidifying our identity and honoring our history."
He added: "The decision to rename the airport is not just a symbolic gesture or a temporary change. It is a clear reflection of a conscious political will that approaches history with a sense of responsibility and pays due tribute to our national symbols."
Dr. Sabir also highlighted the legacy of the late president: "President Jalal Talabani held a unique place in Iraqi politics—both as the country's first elected president after 2003 and as an influential architect of the major transformations that shaped a new era in Iraq's history."
Iraqi President Nizar Amedi then addressed the audience, praising "Mam Jalal's" pivotal role in Iraq’s democratic progress, post-war reconstruction, and his unique ability to navigate crises and unite rival factions. President Amedi concluded by congratulating the people of Sulaymaniyah on the renaming.
"Jalal Talabani International Airport will stand as an enduring tribute, keeping Mam Jalal’s legacy alive," President Amedi stated.
Remarks were also delivered by Ihsan Al-Awadi, Deputy Director of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority Amjad Al-Jabouri, and a representative of the Badr Organization.
To close the ceremony, certificates of appreciation were presented to the individuals and entities who facilitated the renaming process. Among those honored were former Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia' Al-Sudani; Hazem Watan, Political Advisor to the Prime Minister; former Minister of Transport Razzaq Muhaibas Al-Saadawi; Captain Amjad Al-Jabouri; Ali Taleb Fadhil of the Ministry of Transport; and Ali Balad from the Civil Aviation Authority.
The official name change was implemented on February 19, 2026, updating all official correspondence, maps, flight registries, and civil aviation documents. This transition aligns with civil aviation updates across Iraq, including updated airport codes, call signs, and technical data.
The process began on October 3, 2025, when former Prime Minister Muhammad Shia' Al-Sudani officially ordered the renaming of the airport as a tribute to Mam Jalal's tireless lifelong struggle against dictatorship.