Iraq Dismisses Airspace Closure, Launches New Routes and 9 International Destinations

Baghdad – The Ministry of Transport has ruled out closing Iraqi airspace in the upcoming period, despite ongoing security developments in the region. The Ministry announced its success in establishing alternative air routes in cooperation with specialized international organizations, and revealed the launch of nine new international destinations from three local airports. Ihab Saad, Director General of the General Company for Airport Management and Air Navigation, stated that the Ministry has created a number of alternative air routes, affirming continuous study of other routes for future opening to align with flight movement requirements and security conditions. Saad clarified that the company continues to monitor air traffic and coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure smooth and safe flights, while awaiting regional calm to resume operations on previous air routes. Saad affirmed that Iraqi airspace enjoys stability and security, noting that it has not witnessed any closure in recent months despite regional events and tensions, which contributed to the continuity of air traffic and passenger flow. He highlighted that the sustained air activity positively impacted passenger numbers, exceeding 500,000 travelers during the third quarter of 2026, underscoring continued operational momentum and growing confidence in using Iraqi airspace as a safe passage. The Director General reiterated the exclusion of Iraqi airspace closure in the future, given current indicators related to navigational and security stability. He emphasized that the Ministry continuously monitors developments and takes necessary measures to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers, and the continuity of air navigation. As part of efforts to expand the air transport network, the Ministry announced the opening of nine new international destinations. These destinations are distributed as three routes from Baghdad International Airport to Moscow, Tunis, and Muscat, in addition to four routes from Kirkuk Airport to Antalya, Beirut, Dubai, and Trabzon. The expansion also included two destinations from Basra Airport to Baku and Delhi. Saad explained that the establishment of alternative routes and the opening of new destinations fall within the Ministry's plan to develop the air transport sector, enhance economic benefits from Iraqi airspace, support local airport activity, and provide broader options for airlines and travelers, thereby strengthening the country's position regionally and internationally.