Air Traffic Over Iraqi Airspace Rises by 31% After Restricted Zones Reopened

Iraq Ministry of Transport

Iraqi Airways plane.

Iraq’s Ministry of Transport announced on Sunday that air traffic over Iraqi airspace had increased by 31 per cent following the reopening of restricted airspace zones to civil aviation.

Captain Ihab Saad Karim, Director General of the General Company for Airports and Air Navigation, said a significant rise in civil aviation traffic had been recorded since the restricted zones were reopened on 18 September 2026.

He explained that the average number of aircraft transiting Iraqi airspace had increased by approximately 31 per cent compared with the period before the reopening. Traffic subsequently rose further, surpassing the growth recorded during the initial days.

Karim said restoring the airspace zones to civilian use had improved the flexibility of Iraqi airspace management and given airlines a wider choice of routes, helping to ensure the smooth flow of air traffic.

He added that although air traffic figures were influenced by various operational factors and regional conditions, as well as airspace management, current data indicated a positive trend in traffic over Iraq.



PUKMEDIA