Iraq Lifts Civilian Flight Restrictions Over Western Regions
The airspace, previously reserved for military operations, has been transferred to Iraq’s aviation authorities, according to the Transport Ministry.
Iraq has lifted civilian flight restrictions over western regions that had been reserved for military operations against Islamic State. The Transport Ministry said the airspace was transferred to national aviation authorities, enabling the redesign of flight routes and the creation of new civilian routes. Full implementation of the decision is expected after further technical and organizational measures.
Iraq has lifted restrictions on civilian flights over the country’s western regions, the Iraqi Ministry of Transport said.
The ministry said airspace previously used exclusively for military purposes had been transferred to the General Company for Airports and Air Navigation, allowing civilian flights to operate in the area.
Ehab Saad Karim, director general of the company, said the decision was formally announced by the airspace management unit at the Air Operations Center. He said it followed coordination with the office of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and institutional and technical efforts to improve airspace efficiency and facilitate air traffic.
The move will allow Iraq’s aviation authorities to redraw flight routes and establish new routes for civilian aircraft, the ministry said. It is also expected to reduce flight restrictions and support improvements in air navigation.
The western areas were designated for military operations against Islamic State in 2016 and 2017, including parts of Iraq’s western desert. Hussein Ahmed, a Transport Ministry spokesman, said the lifting of the restrictions was part of preparations for the withdrawal of the international coalition from Iraq and the transfer of airspace control to Iraqi authorities.
He added that the technical and organizational measures needed to fully implement the decision would be completed soon.