Accra:Iraqi airspace has seen a 31% increase in overflight traffic after airspace restrictions were lifted, the Transport Ministry announced on Sunday.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Captain Ihab Saad Kareem, the director-general of the State Company for Airports and Air Navigation Management, reported a significant rise in civil aviation traffic crossing Iraqi airspace since the resolution of restrictions on prohibited airspace zones was announced on September 18, 2026.

The average number of aircraft traversing Iraqi airspace has increased by approximately 31% compared to the period before the reopening to civil aviation. Kareem noted that traffic has continued to grow beyond the initial surge, surpassing early growth rates.

Restoring the airspace zones to civilian use has improved the flexibility of Iraqi airspace management, offering airlines a broader range of route options and facilitating smoother air traffic flows. Kareem also mentioned that while air traffic indicators are affected by various factors, including operational and regional conditions, current data indicates a positive trend in overflight traffic.