Iraqi Airways has resumed direct flights to Iran after a wartime suspension, restarting services first to Rasht in northern Iran and planning a wider return to Tehran and Mashhad. The schedule restoration begins with nine weekly flights to Rasht, while services to Tehran are due to restart next week, lifting the combined Baghdad and Najaf schedule to 18 weekly flights.
Two additional weekly flights to Mashhad are also set to begin next week. The return of services follows the reopening and gradual normalisation of regional air links after conflict-related airspace closures disrupted operations between Iraq and Iran.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency continues to advise operators to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace until 31 August because of regional security risks. Even so, the route restoration gives Iraqi Airways a clearer operational timetable for rebuilding traffic to key destinations in Iran after the suspension.