Iraqi Airways to resume daily flights to Iran from Najaf
Iraqi Airways will restart direct services to Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan from Najaf International Airport after obtaining a special exemption, with Iranian carriers permitted to operate 40 daily flights except for Mahan Air.
Resumption date
Iraqi Airways will resume direct flights to Iran on Thursday, starting 8 October, with daily services from Najaf International Airport to Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan.
Exemption and agreement
The airline obtained a special exemption from the Iraqi Transportation Ministry on 29 September, allowing it to operate flights to Iran in October after regulatory and technical requirements were completed.
The office of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi announced an agreement that permits Iranian airlines, except Mahan Air, to operate 40 flights daily to and from Najaf International Airport.
First Iranian arrival
Najaf International Airport received the first direct flight from Tehran, operated by Caspian Airlines, carrying over 150 passengers.
What's still unclear
Sources differ on the exact date of the agreement allowing Iranian airlines to operate 40 daily flights, citing 2 October and an unspecified Friday; the date of the first Iranian flight arrival is given only as Sunday without a calendar date.