Iraqi transport ministry vows to prevent further flight delays at Baghdad airport

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Ministry of Transport has vowed to prevent further disruptions in flight schedules at Baghdad International Airport, implementing new measures to ensure smoother operations following significant delays that left passengers stranded.

Meitham Al-Safi, the transport ministry’s media director, told the state newspaper on Wednesday that “Transport Minister Razzaq Al-Saadawi is directly overseeing Iraqi Airways’ operations this week. He has ordered substantial measures to facilitate passenger movement and prevent delays, changes, or cancellations of flights, except in emergencies. He also emphasized strict accountability for any failures to follow these directives.”

Al-Safi added that all national carrier flights are now operating at full capacity and continue to provide discounted services to eligible groups, including people with disabilities, cancer patients, retirees, and others with special needs.

The announcement follows chaotic scenes at Baghdad International Airport on August 31, when numerous flights were delayed, leading to confusion and frustration among travelers. Videos circulating on social media showed large crowds inside the terminal, with airport staff trying to calm passengers.

Harith Al-Ubaidi, the airport’s director, told 964Media at the time that the delays were caused by an unexpectedly high number of return flights for pilgrims, a technical malfunction on an Iraqi Airways aircraft, and a crew shortage. Al-Ubaidi described the situation as “inevitable and beyond anyone’s control” but said efforts were made to resume flights as quickly as possible.

On Sept. 1, the transport ministry suspended six Iraqi Airways officials, including the acting director, as part of a broader investigation into the delays that left many passengers stranded.

The disruptions came in the wake of a massive influx of pilgrims during the Arbaeen pilgrimage. The Iraqi Commission of Border Ports reported that more than 3.3 million pilgrims entered Iraq from August 6 to August 23 through 10 border crossings, including Baghdad Airport. According to commission spokesperson Aladdin Al-Qaisi, 2,221,070 pilgrims later departed through the crossings, contributing to operational challenges at the airport.

The Arbaeen pilgrimage, a major event for Shiite Muslims, marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Millions of religious tourists, particularly from countries like Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait, and Iran, participate in a symbolic 80-kilometer walk from Najaf to Karbala, both of which are considered holy cities in Shiite Islam.​