Government Announces Resumption of Iranian Flights to Najaf Airport at Forty Daily Flights

The Iraqi government announced, on Friday, the resumption of Iranian flights to and from Najaf Ashraf Airport at a rate of 40 flights daily, while noting the exclusion of Mahan Air. The Media Office of the Prime Minister stated in a press release that, as part of governmental efforts aimed at facilitating the movement of travelers and visitors arriving in or departing from Iraq, supporting humanitarian, medical, touristic, and educational aspects, and following up closely by Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi on the file of resuming flights for Iranian airlines to and from Najaf Ashraf International Airport through a series of contacts and follow-ups with relevant parties, these efforts have resulted in an agreement allowing the operation of 40 daily flights to and from Najaf Ashraf International Airport for Iranian airlines, excluding Mahan Air. In this context, the Prime Minister praised the positive response shown by the US government towards Iraqi endeavors and its cooperation in granting the required exemption, contributing to addressing this file and facilitating the movement of visitors and travelers, especially cases related to treatment, religious visits, and tourism. He added that this cooperation reflects the importance of dialogue and understanding in addressing files with a humanitarian dimension, confirming that diplomatic channels and responsible communication are capable of finding practical solutions that take into account people's interests and needs. Al-Zaidi emphasized that aviation movement does not merely represent transportation between two airports, but rather a bridge of communication between peoples; among the travelers are patients waiting to reach treatment, visitors heading to holy shrines, or families waiting to reunite easily and smoothly, alongside the importance this movement holds for tourism, economy, and community communication. He stressed that Iraq proceeds in its foreign relations and contacts from the interests of its people, and its keenness to build balanced and positive relations with various countries, harnessing these relations to facilitate people's lives and sustain communication between peoples. The statement added that the Prime Minister will continue to follow up on files directly affecting the lives of citizens and visitors, working with all relevant parties to overcome obstacles facing transportation and aviation, serving Iraq, protecting travelers' interests, and enhancing cooperation and humanitarian communication between peoples.