Iraq will restore its air travel link with Lebanon as flights between Baghdad and Beirut resume after three weeks of hiatus. The decision was made following the recent fall of the Syrian regime after serious political and geographical development had caused massive disruptions in that part of the region. According to Iraq’s Transport Minister Razzaq Muhibis Al-Saadawi, who issued the statement Saturday, it confirms News.az informed citing the Anadolu Agency.
Iraqi news agency INA announced in an official report that commercial flights will resume early in 2025, a move taken in consequence of direct orders from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, which shows the commitment of this government to restore, little by little, the essential international links and to support those who were the most affected by the recent political roller coaster.
The Prime Minister expressed that such flights are truly essential for business and diplomatic travel, but above all, for humanitarian reasons, so as to cater to Lebanese citizens currently in Iraq and willing to return to their home country voluntarily, thus continuing services of hospitality and care amidst these chaotic times in the region.
Manaf Abdul Munim, the General Manager of Iraqi Airways, has reassured those extensive preparations have been conducted to ensure a smooth and normal resumption of flights. These protective measures include thorough technical and logistical arrangements that are essential for the safety and efficiency of operations. He stated, “Flights by schedule from Baghdad to Beirut will resume as from January 1, 2025. This move is in the direction of simplifying travel between Iraq and Lebanon and enhancing trade and tourism exchanges between the two brother States.”
To some, the reopening of this air route might play an important role in stimulating economic and cultural relations between Iraq and Lebanon. The airline house believes in the resumption of convergence and encourages passengers to board this lifeline. Initial schedules have provided for seven days operations, but the frequency may increase depending on loads and safety evaluations.
The air link was initially suspended on December 8 following the collapse of Syria’s Assad regime. The Iraqi Ministry of Transport accordingly suspended flights on the ground of “current security developments in Syrian airspace, which is the main corridor for these flights.”
While the region is still young, attention is paid to the development of stable and safe forms of civil aviation. While this resumption is realistic and most appropriate to current pressures, it is also a systematic effort to restore faith of the travelers as well as all the stakeholders linked to Middle Eastern aviation.
Looking to the future, it is foreseen that both Iraq and Lebanon will benefit greatly from the restoration of the air travel channel. This will not only enable families to move from one country to the other and interact on cultural basis but will open up new prospect for boosting bilateral relations of trade and tourism between the two countries.
As Iraq reopens the skies to its neighbor Lebanon, this is a good development in a quest for a stabilizing a stabilizing and strengthening relationship in the region, during challenging times that are inherent in Middle Eastern affairs. The twinning arrangement between the governmental and aviation authorities shows the nations’ desire for peace and prosperity as well as cooperation in the course of the new year.
