First flight arrives in Najaf
Iraqi pilgrims begin return journey from Saudi Arabia
NAJAF — Iraqi Airways announced on Friday that it has begun operating return flights for pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Iraq following the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The first of these flights departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah earlier today and landed at Najaf International Airport. The airline said it plans to operate daily direct flights from various Saudi airports to destinations across Iraq.
Munaf Abdul Munim, General Manager of Iraqi Airways, said the airline has developed a detailed plan for the operation to ensure the smooth return of pilgrims. “We have mobilized all available material and human resources to provide the best services to our returning pilgrims,” he stated.
In a related development, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Endowments confirmed that return flights for Kurdish pilgrims are scheduled to start on June 25. Nabaz Ismail, a spokesperson for the ministry, informed 964media that these flights would take place over several trips to accommodate all pilgrims.
This year, over 35,000 Iraqi pilgrims, including 4,685 from the Kurdistan Region, traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, using both land and air transportation.
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