Iraq's governing council on 12 August granted permission for six airlines to fly to Basra Airport, saying that it would be 'a huge step towards normalisation of ties between Iraq and the international community'. The airport, due to open in the next few weeks, will be managed by US firm SkyLink Air and Logistic Support. SkyLink was awarded the $2.5 million contract to manage Baghdad, Basra and Mosul airports for passenger and cargo operations on 9 May by the Coalition Provisional Authority (MEED 9:5:03).