Iraqi Airways director general dismissed after last month’s chaos at Baghdad Airport

BAGHDAD — After an investigation into the recent delays that stranded passengers at Baghdad International Airport, a committee led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani recommended the dismissal of Iraqi Airways Director General Manaf Abdul-Moneim, and the transport minister has approved the recommendation.

The chaos at Baghdad International Airport peaked Aug. 31, when numerous flight delays caused widespread confusion and frustration among travelers. Videos shared on social media showed large, agitated crowds in the terminal as airport personnel worked to manage the situation.

In response to the disruptions, the prime minister’s office issued a statement reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining high service standards across all sectors. “Any failure impacting the public’s needs will not be tolerated,” the statement read. It highlighted the prime minister’s directive for “a stringent approach against any negligence affecting the reputation and efficiency of state institutions, particularly those working to improve under difficult conditions.”

Harith Al-Ubaidi, the airport’s director, told 964media that the delays were due to a surge in return flights for pilgrims, a technical issue with an Iraqi Airways aircraft, and a shortage of crew members. Describing the situation as “inevitable and beyond anyone’s control,” al-Ubaidi said efforts were made to resume normal flight operations as quickly as possible.

On Sept. 1, the Ministry of Transport suspended six Iraqi Airways officials, including the acting director, as part of an extensive investigation into the delays.

By Sept. 4, the ministry announced plans to implement new measures at Baghdad International Airport to prevent further disruptions and ensure smoother operations going forward.

The delays coincided with the large influx of pilgrims for Arbaeen, which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein. The Iraqi Commission of Border Ports reported that more than 3.3 million pilgrims entered Iraq through 10 border crossings, including Baghdad Airport, from Aug. 6 to Aug. 23. Commission spokesperson Aladdin al-Qaisi said around 2.2 million pilgrims subsequently departed, adding to the operational challenges at the airport.

Arbaeen is a major religious event for Shiite Muslims, with millions of participants from countries including Lebanon, Turkey, Kuwait, and Iran. Many take part in an 80-kilometer walk from Najaf to Karbala, two of Shiite Islam’s most sacred sites.