![An Iraqi Airways plane is pictured on the tarmac at Erbil airport, on September 28th, 2017. [Safin Hamed/AFP]](/cnmi_di/images/2018/01/09/11029-iraq-flights-700_496.webp)
Iraqi skies are seeing a great uptick in air traffic after the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) group's defeat in the country, Ministry of Transportation spokesman Salim Moussa told Diyaruna Tuesday (January 9th).
Following the group's takeover of large swathes of Iraq in 2014, several international civil aviation companies decided to suspend operations in the country out of concern for passengers’ safety.
But now, civil aviation traffic is on the rise in Iraqi airspace, Moussa said.
"Several international airlines have decided to resume flights over the country after ISIS was defeated and final victory over it was declared on December 9th," he said.
At least 700 flights cross Iraq’s airspace daily, in contrast to the few dozen flights in the aftermath of ISIS's occupation of Mosul in June 2014, he said.
"That number has increased exponentially compared to what it used to be, which is a sign that calls for optimism," Moussa said.
Increased revenue
The government today is gaining millions of dollars in revenue from the resumption of air traffic activity.
"Iraq receives $375 in transit fees for every flight that crosses its airspace," Moussa said, noting that this represents a significant financial resource for the government.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transportation is working to strengthen partnerships with all countries to establish new direct aviation routes.
The ministry has succeeded in launching new air travel routes, most recently with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, Moussa said.
"Work is underway to open more routes soon with Tunisia, Greece and Spain based on studies taking into account economic feasibility and the existence of mutual activities," he said.
The international community is looking to open up to Iraq, he said, adding that Iraq "will spare no effort to achieve any rapprochement".
The number of arriving and departing passengers in Iraqi airports during 2017 reached 10.3 million, which included more than four million passengers who passed through Baghdad International Airport, the country’s largest.
The total number of departures and arrivals to Iraqi airports last year was 102,812 civil flights.
To facilitate tourism and aviation, I suggest facilitating visas to foreigners or removing the visa requirements for most of the countries whose citizens want to come to visit Iraq. In this way, the entry of Iraqis will also be easier to those countries. The Foreign Minister and all Iraqi officials are not thinking about this because they and their families hold foreign citizenships. I know you'll answer and say that the treatment must be reciprocal with any state that allows Iraqis to enter without visa. However, we aren't like other states; we need flexibility so we can reach the level of other countries.
Reply1 Comment(s)