Iraq's Transport Ministry said on Friday it has returned western restricted airspace to civil authorities, ending restrictions imposed for military operations since 2016. All reserved zones running north–south across western Iraq have been transferred to the agencies responsible for airports and air navigation for civil use. The ministry said the move is expected to give Iraqi aviation authorities greater scope to redesign flight routes, relax flight restrictions and improve airspace utilization

Iraq's Transport Ministry said on Friday it has returned western restricted airspace to civil authorities, ending restrictions imposed for military operations since 2016. All reserved zones running north–south across western Iraq have been transferred to the agencies responsible for airports and air navigation for civil use. The ministry said the move is expected to give Iraqi aviation authorities greater scope to redesign flight routes, relax flight restrictions and improve airspace utilization.