Latest news with #GCANS
Rudaw Net
10-07-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Over 700 daily overflights as Iraqi airspace fully recovers post-tensions
Also in Iraq Iraqi ministerial committee on Erbil-Baghdad budget issues holds first meeting President Barzani, Iraq security advisor discuss PKK disarmament, Iran border pact US urges resolution as Erbil, Baghdad draft proposals to end salary, oil disputes Iraqi cabinet stalls on KRG salaries, forms committee to address Erbil-Baghdad issues A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Major international airlines are returning to Iraqi airspace, leading to a record number of overflights, Iraq's transport ministry announced Wednesday. Officials say the development reflects renewed confidence in Iraq's air navigation capabilities and the full recovery of its airspace following recent regional tensions. According to a Wednesday statement by the ministry, airlines such as Air France, Russia's Red Wings, Uzbekistan Airways, and Air India have resumed using Iraqi airspace. New international cargo and private carriers from Austria, Turkey, and San Marino are also now flying over the country regularly. Abbas al-Baydani, director of Iraq's General Company for Air Navigation Services (GCANS), said the return of global carriers "clearly demonstrates the enhanced trust of global airlines in Iraqi airspace, reflecting our technical and regulatory readiness in accordance with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization [ICAO].' Baydani noted that overflights now exceed 700 aircraft per day - the highest level of aviation traffic Iraq has ever recorded. For his part, Mudhar Thamer, director of Air Traffic Management at GCANS, said the increase is being managed with 'the highest levels of efficiency in determining routes and altitudes to ensure air traffic safety.' The ministry described the recovery as a vital step toward revitalizing the country's aviation sector and reaffirming Iraq's strategic aerial position in the region. Air traffic across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region officially resumed on June 24, ending a 10-day closure prompted by the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Iran on June 13. Tensions spiked after Israeli airstrikes in Iran killed senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel. The situation escalated further on June 22 when the United States struck three Iranian nuclear sites. Tehran retaliated by launching a missile strike on a US base in Qatar. A ceasefire, brokered by Washington, was reached two days later. The Israel-Iran conflict led to a full closure of Iraqi and Kurdistan Region airspace. Dilan Rashad, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) transport ministry, then told Rudaw the 10-day suspension resulted in the cancellation of 1,283 flights across the Region's airports.
Shafaq News
17-02-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq reports +18,000 overflights in January
Shafaq News/ The General Company for Airports and Air Navigation (GCANS) recorded 18,001 civilian overflights in Iraqi airspace in January 2025, Iraq's Transport Ministry said on Monday. In a statement, the ministry said total air traffic in Iraq during the month, in addition to overflights, included 792 domestic flights, and 7,868 international flights, "reflecting growing aviation activity in the country.' GCANS's Director General, Abbas Sabah Al-Baydani, said Baghdad International Airport (ORBI) accounted for 41% of total air traffic, followed by Erbil International Airport (ORER) with 26% and Najaf International Airport (ORNI) with 19%. The remaining traffic was distributed among Basra, Al-Sulaymaniyah, and Kirkuk airports. 'Baghdad International Airport has an annual passenger capacity of 7.5 million, while both Erbil and Najaf airports can handle up to 3 million passengers each, underscoring the critical role of these airports in supporting Iraq's aviation sector and enhancing regional and international travel,' he noted.
