The Director of the General Company for Managing Airports and Air Navigation, Captain Ihab Saad Karim, announced today, Thursday, the reopening of air routes between Iraq and Kuwait starting today, Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Karim stated in a press conference followed by the news agency Video that the step came within the framework of the Ministry of Transport's commitment to ensuring the smooth flow of air navigation and expanding the scope of regional cooperation, under the direct supervision of the Minister of Transport, Wahab Al-Husani, and persistent follow-up from the General Company for Managing Airports and Air Navigation, after it was recently halted due to security developments and regional tensions.
He added that technical efforts have resulted in operational understandings under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in cooperation with the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, indicating that the understandings came into effect as of today Thursday at 11:00 AM Coordinated Universal Time.
He continued that air traffic is managed following the completion of procedures and official confirmations between the concerned parties according to specific flight routes and levels, ensuring operational coordination and safe separation between aircraft, while adhering to the highest standards of safety and air security in the Iraqi airspace.
He clarified that the mechanism is applied gradually, subject to continuous monitoring and evaluation during the implementation period, with the goal of identifying any technical or operational notes and addressing them in coordination with the relevant authorities, ensuring the stability of the procedures and the efficiency of their implementation.
He pointed to the importance of the professional efforts made by air traffic controllers in managing air traffic, emphasizing the necessity to continue working with a sense of responsibility, vigilance, and ongoing coordination to keep pace with new requirements and enhance the safety of air traffic and air security.
Karim confirmed that this step comes within the Ministry of Transport's efforts to enhance regional cooperation, develop air navigation management mechanisms, and improve connectivity between air routes in the region, while continuing technical and operational coordination among the relevant authorities to ensure the proper execution of these operational procedures and enhance the position of Iraqi airspace to achieve the desired goals.