First plane lands at Basra as Iraqi airports reopen after 40-day closure

BAGHDAD — A Flydubai aircraft became the first to land at Basra International Airport on Thursday following the reopening of Iraqi airspace, the Transport Ministry said, as airports across the country began receiving flights after a 38-day closure.

Ministry spokesperson Maytham al-Safi said Baghdad International Airport and Erbil are also receiving flights, with the General Company for Air Navigation Services providing continuous navigation services with specialized staff on site.

Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority reopened the country’s airspace Wednesday following the announcement of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, ending a closure that had been repeatedly extended since Feb. 28. The suspension grounded all commercial flights, stranded thousands of Iraqis abroad, paralyzed the travel and tourism sectors and forced Iraq’s national football team to fly to Mexico via Jordan for its World Cup playoff.