Iraq begins opening new transit air routes amid rising demand from global carriers

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Transport has begun opening new air routes in response to growing interest from international airlines seeking to transit the country’s airspace, a move officials say could help improve Iraq’s global aviation standing.

Maytham Al-Safi, director of the ministry’s media office, told the state-run newspaper Al-Sabah that the ministry “has worked intensively to develop air routes and enhance operational efficiency to ensure safety and smooth passage for aircraft crossing Iraqi airspace.”

He said the effort is part of broader plans to expand international cooperation and upgrade the infrastructure of Iraqi airspace.

“The ministry has received new requests from global airlines to use Iraqi airspace,” he said, describing Iraq as “a vital aviation link between East and West and a key transit point in the regional and international air navigation network.”

Al-Safi said the initiative is intended to help raise Iraq’s international airspace classification and meet the needs of global carriers.

On Aug. 3, the Ministry of Transport announced plans to expand Iraq’s commercial aircraft fleet to 53 by the end of 2027, with 14 new Airbus and Boeing jets scheduled for delivery over the next two years. Al-Safi said the updated fleet will support expanded routes across the Middle East, Asia and other international destinations. He also noted ongoing efforts to lift the European Union’s ban on Iraqi-registered airlines, which has been in place since 2015.