With the exception of an American passenger, the Iraqi government announced the operation of 40 flights between Najaf Airport and Iran.
With the exception of an American passenger, the Iraqi government announced the operation of 40 flights between Najaf Airport and Iran.
2026-10-02
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi government announced on Friday that it had reached an agreement allowing 40 daily flights to and from Najaf International Airport for Iranian airlines, with the exception of Mahan Air.
The Prime Minister’s Media Office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that this came “within the framework of the government’s efforts to facilitate the movement of travelers and visitors coming to or leaving Iraq, and to support humanitarian, medical, tourism and educational aspects, and with the diligent follow-up of Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, regarding the file of resuming flights of Iranian airlines to and from Najaf International Airport, through a series of contacts and follow-ups with the concerned parties.”
Al-Zaydi, according to the statement, appreciated “the positive response shown by the US government towards the Iraqi efforts, and its cooperation in granting the required exception, which contributes to addressing this issue and facilitating the movement of visitors and travelers, especially cases related to treatment, religious visits and tourism.”
He explained that “this cooperation reflects the importance of dialogue and understanding in addressing issues with a humanitarian dimension, and confirms that diplomatic channels and responsible communication are capable of finding practical solutions that take into account people’s interests and needs.”
Al-Zaydi stressed that “air traffic is not just a movement of transport between two airports, but a bridge for communication between peoples. Among the travelers are patients waiting to reach a place of treatment, or visitors heading to holy shrines, or families waiting to be reunited easily and conveniently, in addition to the importance of this movement for tourism, the economy and social communication.”
Al-Zaydi stressed that “Iraq’s foreign relations and communications are based on the interests of its people, and on its keenness to build balanced and positive relations with various countries, and to harness these relations to facilitate people’s lives and maintain communication between peoples.”
He indicated that he would continue to “follow up on files that directly affect the lives of citizens and visitors, and work with all concerned parties to overcome obstacles to transportation and aviation, in a way that serves Iraq, protects the interests of travelers, and enhances cooperation and human communication between peoples.”
Iraqi Airways announced last week the resumption of its flights to Iranian airports via Najaf International Airport, according to a brief statement received by Shafaq News Agency.
It is noted that the Iraqi government issued a decision to ban flights from Iraqi airports to Iran or to receive Iranian flights, in response to sanctions announced by the US Treasury Department on September 8, on 36 entities linked to the Iranian aviation sector, including 27 airlines.
On September 29, the U.S. Treasury Department, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), issued a special license to Iraqi Airways allowing it to conduct the usual and necessary transactions to operate passenger transport services between Iraq and Iran – via Najaf Airport – under specific terms and conditions.
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