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Airspace in western Iraq that had been restricted for military operations has been returned to civilian authorities. According to Iraq’s Ministry of Transport, the decision ends restrictions imposed in 2016.
All airspace zones extending from north to south across the country’s western regions and previously designated for military purposes have been handed over to the authorities responsible for airports and air navigation.
Flight routes expected to be reorganized
The decision is expected to allow Iraqi aviation authorities to plan flight routes more flexibly, reduce restrictions on aircraft movements and improve the efficiency of airspace use.
Ihab Saad Karim, director of the General Company for the Management of Iraqi Airports and Air Navigation, said the military airspace zones listed in the country’s aeronautical information publication were no longer being used for military operations. He said the decision was the result of long-term technical and institutional work aimed at improving air traffic and efficiency.
Economic revenues expected to increase
Karim said reopening the routes could increase aviation revenues, improve civil air transport and support the country’s economy.
Transport Ministry spokesperson Hussein Ahmed told Reuters that the remaining technical and regulatory procedures were expected to be completed by Oct. 1.
The ministry described the lifting of the restrictions as part of procedures related to the withdrawal of the remaining troops of the US-led international coalition from Iraq under agreements reached between Iraq and the United States.
