Iraq’s Najaf receives first direct flight from Dammam
A Flynas airplane. Photo: Flynas
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The first direct flight from King Fahd International Airport in the Saudi eastern city of Dammam arrived at Najaf International Airport on Saturday to promote air transport between the two countries.
The Saudi Ambassador to Iraq, Abdulaziz Al-Shammari, told Al-Arabiya News that the increased number of flights between both countries is a result of their solid diplomatic ties and is meant to make it easier for Saudi nationals to travel directly to Iraq.
Al-Shammari explained that the relations between Saudi Arabia and Iraq are witnessing developments in different fields, noting that flights departing from Dammam to Najaf are followed by flights from Najaf to the Saudi cities of Jeddah and Medina to make it easier for Iraqis to reach Saudi Arabia as quickly as possible.
The Iraqi Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Safia Al-Suhail, elaborated that the step will contribute to promoting bilateral relations and strengthening prospects of cooperation.
“Direct flights between the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and the Saudi capital, Riyadh, will be launched soon,” Al-Suhail clarified.
The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) announced in late April that official approvals have been granted for three weekly flights between Dammam and Najaf.
The ICAA said in a statement that Iraq and Saudi Arabia are working together to expand civil aviation traffic and associated employment opportunities by offering all the facilities required to respond to the needs of travelers in both countries.
The ICAA confirmed that it is exerting efforts to enhance cooperation frameworks with the rest of the international bodies, in accordance with the vision of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to develop the aviation sector in Iraq.
The ICAA and the ICAO signed a cooperation agreement last November to increase the capacity of the Iraqi authority.
The agreement also aims to develop the institutional structure of the ICAA and provide expertise and support to boost the growth of Iraq’s civil aviation sector and air transport industry.
The Iraqi government had previously decided to negotiate agreements with the ICAO and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to expand Iraq’s aviation industry in several domains.