Iraq extends airspace closure for a further 72 hours

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority announced Tuesday it has extended the closure of the country’s airspace to all incoming, outgoing and transit flights for another 72 hours, beginning at noon on March 10.

In a statement, the authority said it “announces the extension of the closure of Iraqi airspace to all incoming, departing and transit aircraft for a period of 72 hours starting from 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 (09:00 UTC) until 12:00 noon on Friday as a temporary precautionary measure.”

The authority said the decision was taken “based on the continued assessment of the security situation and regional developments,” adding that the measure will be reviewed according to new developments.

It also noted that airlines and relevant authorities would be notified of any updates regarding the restrictions.

Iraq has kept its airspace closed since early March following escalating regional tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian missile and drone launches across the region.

On March 7, the Civil Aviation Authority extended the closure for another 72 hours, keeping the airspace shut to all incoming, outgoing and transit flights until noon Tuesday, citing “the continued assessment of the security situation and regional developments.”

The airspace had earlier been closed for shorter periods, first extended by 24 hours and then by 48 hours before the previous 72-hour extension.