Iraq is losing $15,000 per hour due to the closure of its airspace.
Iraq is losing $15,000 per hour due to the closure of its airspace.
2026-06-08
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Echo Iraq Observatory announced on Monday that Iraq is losing about $15,000 per hour as a result of the temporary halt in air traffic through its airspace.
The observatory stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Iraqi airspace, before the suspension of air traffic, witnessed the passage of about 800 aircraft daily, including domestic and foreign flights, while the daily rates during previous periods ranged between 700 and 750 aircraft.
The observatory explained that the fees for a single aircraft crossing through Iraqi airspace amount to about $450, which provided daily revenues estimated at about $360,000.
He pointed out that every hour that air traffic is stopped costs Iraq a loss estimated at about $15,000, while the losses amount to about $360,000 per day, which affects non-oil revenues that the government seeks to strengthen and diversify its sources.
The observatory called for the swift restoration of air traffic and the passage of aircraft over Iraqi airspace as soon as the security situation stabilizes, given the importance of this resource in supporting state revenues and enhancing Iraq’s position as a strategic air corridor linking Asia, Europe, and the countries of the region.
shafaq.com
