Iraq opens restricted air zones for civilian aviation

An Iraqi Airways plane. Photo: AFP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq has lifted its decade-long military restrictions on western airspace, returning full control to civilian authorities. The Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced on Friday that it has fully eliminated the restricted zones, thereby restoring complete sovereignty over the country’s airspace. Iraq’s General Company for Air Navigation Services (GCANS) now controls all previously restricted military zones, which range from the northern province of Nineveh to the southern desert in Anbar province. Between 2016 and 2017, the airspace was restricted to civilian planes. The Iraqi Air Force and the US-led international coalition used it only for combat missions against ISIS. The decision would enable foreign airlines to use shorter and more efficient international flight corridors. The decision is expected to reduce operational rates for global airlines and simultaneously boost transit charge revenue for the Iraqi government. The Transport Ministry in Iraq announced that the removal of these restrictions is part of the withdrawal process, as Iraq and the United States work together to coordinate the departure of the US-led international coalition’s remaining forces. Technical and legal alignment for completely integrating the newly available routes into civilian flight is projected to be completed by October 1, 2026.