Iraq resumes international flights after 4 months

By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraq on Thursday resumed international flights after four months of travel suspension due to COVID-19 or coronavirus pandemic related restriction.

Like many other countries, Iraq decided to suspend flights due to the outbreak of the coronavirus in March. The travel restrictions were extended several times, since then.

Last week, the Higher Committee for Health and National Safety in Iraq decided to reopen the airports in the country.

Iraq has five international airports: Baghdad, Najaf, Basra, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah.

Baghdad International Airport opened its gates on Thursday morning to passengers, for the first time since March.

Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority has published strict health instructions at the entrance of Baghdad International Airport, relating to the health safety of workers and travelers.

The airport administration has made wearing masks, hand gloves mandatory for all workers and passengers. It has also taken steps to ensure that workers and passengers maintain social distancing according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

* Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara