MOT: Iraqi Airspace Has Become a Major Air Corridor for European and Asian Companies
Baghdad - INA
The Ministry of Transport confirmed on Thursday that Iraqi airspace has become a major air corridor for Asian and European companies. While noting that overflights boost financial revenues and support infrastructure development, it also noted plans to modernize takeoff and landing systems and expand the use of airspace.
Ministry of Transport spokesperson Maitham Al-Safi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The increase in the number of aircraft overflighting Iraqi airspace is a natural result of the development of the country's air navigation infrastructure. In addition, Iraq's distinguished geographical location has led Asian and European airlines, including those from Singapore, Malaysia, and Bangladesh, to use Iraqi airspace as a major air corridor for their international flights, and the numbers are increasing."
He added, "Iraqi airspace has witnessed active air traffic in recent days, amid a growing trend by international airlines to take advantage of Iraq's strategic geographic location and the shortened flight times and reduced fuel consumption it offers." He noted that "the Iraqi General Air Navigation Company has dealt efficiently with the increase in the number of flights by implementing a series of regulatory measures, including increasing the number of technical staff, opening new control sections, and introducing an advanced system for dividing air sectors according to the volume of traffic. This has contributed to ensuring smooth transit and enhancing air safety. Furthermore, a number of European airlines, most notably Air France, have begun to use Iraqi airspace as a primary corridor for their routes." Al-Safi explained that 'the Ministry, through air navigation, continues to implement its plans to develop services in coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), by modernizing take-off and landing systems at most Iraqi airports, and expanding the scope of use of civil airspace, which enhances the operational attractiveness of Iraqi airspace for international airlines.' He indicated that 'there is a direct proportionality, as the more flights, the more revenues, and the more revenues, the greater the opportunities to develop infrastructure more and more according to sustainable plans and programs to achieve integration, in addition to maximizing state revenues through financial returns.'
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