Najaf:Iraqi Airways announced it will resume direct flights to Iran starting Thursday, with daily services planned from Najaf International Airport to three Iranian cities.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Iraqi national carrier confirmed that its flight schedule, beginning October 8, will include destinations in Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan. This move is intended to facilitate passenger travel and provide regular air transport between Iraq and these Iranian cities.
The Iraqi Transport Ministry had previously announced on September 29 that Iraqi Airways secured a special exemption to operate flights to Iran, allowing for their resumption after meeting regulatory and technical requirements. Flights were suspended in early March as a precautionary measure amid military tensions between Tehran and Washington, and Iranian airlines ceased operations to Iraq on September 23.
On October 2, the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi revealed an agreement permitting Iranian airlines, excluding Mahan Air, to conduct 40 flights daily to and from Najaf International Airport. Al-Zaidi expressed appreciation for the US government's positive response to Iraq's efforts to obtain the necessary exemption, noting the measure is aimed at facilitating travel for medical treatment, religious visits, and tourism.
Mahan Air has faced US sanctions since 2011 due to alleged support for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force.