The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority announced today, Sunday, the opening of Basra International Airport as the only alternative hub for returning Iraqi citizens stranded abroad, after all Iraqi airports were closed until further notice.
The head of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, Bengin Rekani, explained that the measure is part of an urgent government plan to facilitate the return of Iraqis, noting that Iraqi Airways has been tasked with increasing the number of flights to Basra Airport to speed up the pace of repatriation, according to a post on the authority's Facebook page.
In a related context, Rekani noted that the Turkish authorities, following direct intervention by the Iraqi Embassy in Ankara, have agreed to grant entry visas to Iraqis arriving by air at Istanbul Airport who wish to enter Turkey to travel onward by land, a step that would facilitate movement and boost return efforts. Through these measures, the Iraqi government affirms its commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens and facilitating their return under the current circumstances.
To view the post on the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority's page, click here.
