Iraqi Airways resumes flights to Iran

An Iraqi Airways Airbus A220-300 at Manchester International Airport. Photo: Iraqi Airways Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Airways resumed flights between Najaf and Tehran on Thursday, with the first flight arriving in the Iranian capital after the airline obtained a US exemption allowing it to restart flights to Iran. Iranian media reported that the Iraqi aircraft landed at Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) at 7:30 a.m., marking the return of daily direct flights on the Najaf-Tehran route. Iraqi Airways announced on Monday the resumption of direct flights to Iran starting October 8, as part of a plan to operate regular daily flights between Najaf International Airport and airports in Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan. The Iraqi Ministry of Transport stated that the plan aims to facilitate passenger travel and provide regular air transport options between Iraq and Iranian cities. The ministry revealed in late September that Iraq’s national carrier will resume flights to Iran in October, amid flight suspension due to US sanctions limiting services to Iranian airlines. Iraq previously imposed a ban on flights to and from Iran to adhere to US sanctions. The Iraqi government sought exemptions for travel related to pilgrimage, medical treatment, and education. According to a source in Iraq’s transport ministry, the US Treasury Department approved a one-month exception. The US administration offered Iraqi Airways a one-month US Treasury waiver to fly between Iran and Najaf, with the possibility of a permanent exemption. Baghdad offered to provide passenger screening and information exchange to prevent airplanes from transporting weapons, sanctioned individuals, or illegal funds.