SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraq’s transportation ministry announced on Thursday a resumption of direct flights to and from Saudi Arabia after a 19-month suspension, according to the state news agency INA.
“Thanks to great efforts, our national carrier resumed its direct flights from Iraq’s airports to Saudi Arabia’s airports, after a suspension of nearly two years due to the coronavirus pandemic,” the ministry said in a statement.
In March 2020, the Gulf kingdom suspended entry from and travel to Iraq along with eight other countries due to the spreading coronavirus pandemic.
The kingdom said last week it was easing its COVID-19 measures from Oct. 17 as a result of a sharp drop in daily infections.
“The resumption follows high level coordination with the Hajj and Umrah Authority and the Saudi side to ease transporting Iraqi Umrah pilgrims according to the instructions set forth in the two countries,” the Iraqi ministry said.
