Iraq has authorized the restart of Iranian airline flights to and from Najaf International Airport following a deal with the US. Based on this agreement, the number of flights that Iranian airline companies can operate to Najaf per day can reach as many as 40 flights.
Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi disclosed the deal on Friday, October 2. The development calms down the relations between the two neighboring nations after the US put sanctions on the Iranian aviation sector in September.
Al-Zaidi appreciated the US reaction towards Iraq’s attempts to achieve the required exemption. He pointed out that air travel is more than an exchange of flights between two airports.
Mahan Air’s Flights Resume
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein welcomed the return of Mahan Air’s operations. He remarked the resumption of flights would boost the Iraq-US relations, which he termed a relationship based on mutual respect.
He also pointed out the importance of providing people with the opportunity of traveling to cities housing religious sites such as Najaf.
This approval follows US sanctions against 36 entities involved in Iran’s aviation industry, which were announced in September. Reportedly, many airports in numerous countries have stopped servicing Iranian airlines after said sanctions.
Also, four airports in Iraq stopped operating flights. Consequently, the government of Iraq conducted negotiations with the USA to exempt Iranian flights from the embargo.
Key Passage for Pilgrims
Najaf is among the key destinations for Iranian flights to Iraq with high religious significance. The restored operations are expected to provide an opportunity for travel between the two countries, especially for religious tourists.
Flights on this route transport thousands of Iraqi Shia Muslim pilgrims to the holy sites in Iran and vice versa.
Thus, the waiver restores an essential air link of pilgrims and tourists from Iran to Iraq allowing Najaf International Airport to resume its operations by the Iranian airline in accordance with the agreement.
