Kuwait reopened its airspace to overflights on 15 October, restoring a central routing option for Europe–Middle East traffic via Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The route is available to operators authorised to use Iraqi airspace and permits flights between the Bahrain and Baghdad flight-information regions through Kuwait at flight level 280 or above.
The reopening restores a shorter alternative to southern routings through Saudi Arabia, where recent Houthi attacks have increased security concerns. Eligible airlines may reduce detours, flight time, fuel consumption and operational complexity, although the corridor is not available across the market. EASA and several European countries continue to advise against or restrict flights through Iraqi airspace.
More than 300 aircraft are now crossing Iraqi airspace daily following the reopening, according to Iraq’s Transport Ministry and air-navigation authorities. The routes operate in coordination with Kuwait and other Gulf states, under International Civil Aviation Organization oversight.
Iraqi airports and airspace remain generally open, although some flights to Iran from Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah continue to face separate regulatory restrictions. The development concerns the overflight corridor rather than the reopening of individual airports.