The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had prohibited US civilian flight operations over Iraq at all altitudes because of risks due to armed conflict with ISIS.
Hamami announced on Sunday that the FAA has amended its flight warning allowing US aircraft to resume flights in Iraqi airspace, though some restrictions remain in place.
According to a press release by the FAA on Saturday, international flights over Iraq must remain above an altitude of 26,000 feet to maintain safety “Due to the hazardous situation created by the potential for fighting in certain areas of Iraq and ongoing concerns about the extremist/militant threat.”
With the amended regulation US aircraft can resume flights in Iraqi airspace, Hamami stated, adding that he hoped the move provided incentive for other nations to follow suit.
The announcement “means that global airlines can go over Iraqi airspace wherever they want,” read a statement from Baghdad International Airport.
This will begin “a new phase of maximization of resources and finances of the Iraqi state,” the airport’s statement continued.
A Conflict Zone Information Bulletin released by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Wednesday warned that flights over Iraqi airspace must remain above an altitude of 24,000 feet “Due to the hazardous security situation, with the presence of terrorist organizations and ongoing high intensity military operations, there is a risk of both intentional targeting and misidentification of civil aircraft.”
Civil aviation includes both private and commercial aircraft but excludes military aircraft.
Hamami’s announcement of the flight embargo being lifted over came just one day after Iraqi forces and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the total liberation of Iraq from ISIS.
Flights to the Kurdistan Region remain restricted by a Baghdad-imposed ban prohibiting international airlines from flying in and out of Erbil and Sulaimani airports.
