Flynas to operate direct flights between Najaf and Dammam

 Flynas to operate direct flights between Najaf and Dammam

A Flynas airplane. Photo: Flynas

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) announced on Monday that official approvals have been granted for three weekly flights between Dammam and Najaf.

The ICAA said in a statement that approvals have been granted to Saudi Arabia’s Flynas to operate three flights per week between the Saudi city of Dammam and the Iraqi city of Najaf, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.

According to the ICAA, Iraq and Saudi Arabia work together through the relevant authorities 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.

Reports indicated that, compared to 2022, aviation traffic in the Middle East increased by more than 40 percent in 2023.