MOT: French Airline Resuming Iraqi Airspace

Baghdad – INA

The General Company for Air Navigation Services, affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, announced today, Wednesday, that the French airline Air France has resumed using Iraqi airspace after an interruption of more than five months.

The Ministry stated in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), "The French airline Air France has resumed using Iraqi airspace after an interruption of more than five months, thanks to the Ministry's great efforts and direct follow-up," stressing "its commitment to providing the best navigation services."

The company's Director General, Abbas Al-Baydani, said according to the statement: "The French airline Air France has returned to using Iraqi airspace after an interruption of more than five months," noting that "based on the directives of the Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi, we are committed to providing the best navigation services, in accordance with approved international standards. This reflects the level of development and high readiness of air navigation service providers in Iraq, and supports efforts to make Iraqi airspace a safe and attractive environment for international airlines."

Al-Baydani stated that "air corridors in Iraqi airspace constitute a preferred option for many air carriers, given the shortened transportation routes they provide and the reduced fuel consumption, which enhances the competitive position of Iraqi airspace as a strategic air link between the East and the West." He pointed out that "the company's Air Traffic Management Department is committed to continuing to prepare all technical and navigational requirements to ensure the safety and smooth flow of air traffic within Iraqi airspace."