Iraq reopens airspace after nearly 40 days as ceasefire takes hold

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority announced Wednesday the reopening of the country’s airspace and all airports, following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Acting authority head Bangen Rekani said “the airspace and all Iraqi airports will be reopened starting today,” ending a closure that had been in effect since Feb. 28 — 38 days in total.

Iraq shut its airspace on Feb. 28 after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered missile and drone activity across the region. The closure was extended ten consecutive times as officials cited evolving security conditions, grounding all commercial flights, stranding thousands of Iraqis abroad, paralysing the travel and tourism sectors and forcing the national football team to fly to Mexico via Jordan for its World Cup playoff.