Iraq's Najaf Airport Receives First Iranian Flight Following US Waiver

BAGHDAD, Oct 4 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Iraq's Najaf International Airport on Sunday received the first direct flight from Tehran, marking the official resumption of air travel between the two countries following a US waiver, according to an airport statement, reported Xinhua.

The director of the airport welcomed passengers arriving aboard the flight operated by Iran's Caspian Airlines, the airport said in a post on its official Facebook page.

Video footage published on the page showed the aircraft receiving a traditional water cannon salute when it arrived.

The flight resumption follows a recent announcement by the Iraqi government on Oct 2 regarding an agreement to allow Iranian airlines, except Mahan Air, to operate 40 flights daily to and from Najaf International Airport.

A statement by the media office of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi noted that the agreement follows the US government's cooperation in granting a requested exemption, which will help facilitate the movement of pilgrims and travellers, particularly those travelling for medical treatment, religious visits, and tourism.

Najaf International Airport suspended all incoming and outgoing flights to and from Iran on Sept 25, following the US Treasury Department's recent sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector, which suspended authorisations that allowed non-US airlines to fly US-origin or US-controlled commercial aircraft into Iran.  

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA