Haider al-Abadi, the spokesperson for the Iraqi government, responded today, Friday, to rumors about the imposition of temporary restrictions on airplane traffic in the airspace of this country due to the possibility of military activities in the region. Al-Abadi firmly stated that this news is not true and that all air routes in Iraq are completely open.
Denial of published news
He pointed out that there are no restrictions on airplane traffic in the airspace of Iraq, adding: "All air routes are open and there are no restrictions on flights." These statements come at a time when some news sources had previously reported the issuance of an aviation notice regarding the imposition of temporary restrictions in the airspace of Iraq.
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Details of previous restrictions
According to published information, this notice claimed that transit and incoming flights to four major airports in Iraq during the period from November 7 to 11 must follow designated routes and air traffic control instructions. These restrictions included incoming and transit flights, and airlines and pilots were required to adhere to the specified routes and instructions issued by Iraq's air traffic control centers.
NOTAM and its importance
A NOTAM or Notice to Airmen is an official tool for announcing changes, restrictions, and hazards that may affect the safety and planning of flights. These notices are issued for various reasons, including military exercises, security activities, operational restrictions, or specific airspace conditions. It seems that this news and rumors were published solely due to security concerns and the sensitive situation in the region.
Currently, based on Haider al-Abadi's statements, it appears that airplane traffic in the airspace of Iraq has returned to normal, and passengers and airlines can continue their air travel with greater confidence. This situation could help improve economic and tourism conditions in Iraq, especially at a time when the country is striving for reconstruction and attracting investment.
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