Baghdad: The Ministry of Transport announced today, Friday, the completion of the file on restricted areas and the full restoration of sovereignty over Iraqi airspace.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Director of the General Company for Airports and Air Navigation Management, Captain Ihab Saad Karim, stated at a press conference that the Airspace Management Team at the Air Operations Center has confirmed that military airspace areas listed in the Iraqi Aeronautical Information Publication are no longer used for military operations. He mentioned that all areas previously reserved in the western part of the country, from north to south, have been transferred to the General Company for Airports and Air Navigation Management for civil aviation use.

Karim highlighted that this progress was made through coordination with the Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief of Staff General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, and resulted from institutional and technical efforts over several years a
imed at improving air navigation efficiency.

He further explained that these actions are paving the way for the deletion of these restricted areas and updating the Iraqi Aeronautical Information Publication for global airlines. These areas had been restricted to civil aviation since 2016 and 2017, and their restoration is expected to offer greater flexibility in establishing new air routes, increasing financial revenues, improving civil air traffic flow, and supporting the national economy.

Karim lauded the role of airport and air navigation personnel and air traffic controllers in managing air traffic and ensuring the safety of aircraft and passengers. He emphasized that the airports are prepared to provide services to all local and foreign airlines once the air routes are opened.