Iraqi Airways officials suspended amid investigation into flight delays at Baghdad Airport

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Transport Ministry has suspended six officials from Iraqi Airways, including the acting director, following major disruptions that caused significant flight delays at Baghdad International Airport on Aug. 31. The decision is part of a broader investigation aimed at addressing the causes of the delays, which left countless passengers stranded.

The delays, which occurred during a particularly busy period at Baghdad International Airport, were attributed to several factors. Harith Al-Ubaidi, the airport’s director, said that an unexpectedly high number of return pilgrimage flights, a technical malfunction in an Iraqi Airways aircraft, and a shortage of crew members all contributed to the chaos. While Al-Ubaidi described the situation as “inevitable and beyond anyone’s control,” he noted that efforts were made to get flights back on schedule as quickly as possible.

In response to the disruptions, the Transport Ministry formed an investigative committee led by Hazem Radi Lafta, the Acting Deputy Minister for Administrative Affairs. The committee is tasked with determining the exact causes of the delays and is expected to report its findings within 72 hours. As part of this process, the ministry temporarily suspended six key officials: Manaf Abdul Moneim Ajeel, acting director general of Iraqi Airways; Mustafa Shamil Ahmed, director of the commercial department; Ihab Saad Kareem, director of flight operations; Saif Shamil Abdul Rahim, director of the technical department; Hussam Majid Manaa, head of the commercial administration division; and Ahmed Fadel Abbas, head of the traffic division.

The ministry says the suspensions are intended to preserve the integrity and objectivity of the investigation. In the meantime, Zou Al-Faqar Abdul Hussein Jassem, who serves as Assistant Director, has been appointed to oversee Iraqi Airways operations. He has been granted full administrative and financial authority to manage the airline during this period.

The timing of the delays coincided with the influx of millions of pilgrims arriving for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the most significant events in the Shiite Islamic calendar. The Iraqi Commission of Border Ports reported that over 3.3 million pilgrims entered Iraq between Aug. 6 and Aug. 23, 2024, through various border crossings, including Baghdad Airport. This influx, combined with the logistical challenges of managing such a large volume of travelers, likely exacerbated the issues at the airport.

The Arbaeen pilgrimage commemorates the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed. Each year, millions of pilgrims, including those from neighboring countries like Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, and Kuwait, participate in the symbolic 80-kilometer walk from Najaf to Karbala.

Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates as Baghdad International Airport continues efforts to restore normal operations following the disruptions.