Iraq Confirms Full Airspace Sovereignty and Lifting of Restrictions, Finalizing Coalition Withdrawal

The Ministry of Transport announced on Friday the completion of Iraqi airspace sovereignty and the lifting of air restrictions, confirming that this step finalizes the international coalition's withdrawal procedures and opens the skies to global civil aviation. Captain Ihab Saad Karim, Director General of the General Company for Airports and Air Navigation Management at the Ministry, stated that "the completion of lifting restricted and prohibited air zones is part of the procedures for the withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraqi territory and the full handover of airspace." Karim added that "the withdrawal of forces and the lifting of restrictions on air zones will provide greater flexibility for international civil aviation companies to use Iraqi airspace for transit." He pointed out that "Iraq's strategic location will enhance opportunities for its airspace to be used by global airlines," stressing "the importance of marketing Iraqi air corridors to increase transit traffic." Karim explained that "the company is working on establishing new air corridors, which contributes to increasing transit movement through Iraqi airspace." He clarified that "the establishment of these corridors will lead to Iraq's prosperity in terms of air transit movement and the collection of fees for using Iraqi airspace." The Ministry of Transport confirmed the closure of the restricted areas file and the completion of full sovereignty over national airspace. It stated that the Airspace Management Team at the Air Operations Center officially confirmed that military air zones listed in the Iraqi Air Guide are no longer used for military operations. It also indicated "the handover of all areas that were reserved in the western part of the country, from north to south, to the General Company for Airports and Air Navigation Management for use in civil aviation."