Iran Allows Iraqi Airways to Have Limited Flights to Take Out Nationals

The Civil Aviation Organization of Iran permitted Iraq's flag-carrier to conduct restricted flights from Iran to evacuate nationals amid a renewed surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the country. In a Thursday statement by the CAO, it was not specified that how many flights the Iraqi Airways would be able to conduct from Iran as of October 9. However, the permit comes days after Iranian authorities said they had revoked flight certificates for Iraqi Airways after the company violated the rules and carried visa-holding passengers from Iran. The CAO underlined that the Iraqi Airways would only be allowed to evacuate nationals from Iran and flights would not accommodate Iranian passengers. 

Millions of Iranians normally go to Iraq each year in days leading to and after Arba’een which marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Holy Prophet Mohammad’s grandson Imam Hossein (AS). However, a renewed surge in the number of positive coronavirus cases in Iran has prompted the government to tighten restrictions on travel and movement. - Fars