ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Flights between Iran and Iraq have begun to resume after nearly two months of disruption, marking a gradual return to normal air travel following the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which came into effect on April 8.
The first flight from the Islamic Republic of Iran to Iraq was conducted on Sunday, ending a 59-day suspension. Maytham al-Safi, spokesperson for the Iraqi transportation ministry, told Rudaw on Sunday: "Today, the first flight from the airport in Tehran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to Najaf Airport was conducted after a 59-day suspension."
The resumption follows weeks of disruption triggered by the US and Israeli military campaign against Iran, which forced the regional countries, including Iran and Iraq to close their airspace on February 28.
In Iraq, flights only resumed in early April after the country reopened its skies following around 40 days of closure during the conflict. Iraq had been caught in the crossfire of the war, facing repeated drone and missile attacks that halted a key international transit corridor and forced travelers to rely on land routes until a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was reached.
Safi said Sunday's flight was operated by Iran Air, adding that further services are expected to follow.