UAE's Air Arabia resumes flights to Iran, Iraq as regional airspace reopens
Sharjah-based Air Arabia will resume flights to Iran, Iraq, Georgia and Armenia from July 1 following the reopening of regional airspace after a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.
The low-cost carrier announced the gradual resumption of previously suspended flights as Iran reopened its airspace following a ceasefire agreement, Gulf News reported on June 26.
Routes to Iranian cities including Mashhad, Shiraz, Lar and Najaf will recommence, alongside Iraqi destinations such as Baghdad, Erbil and Basra. The airline will also restore flights to Commonwealth of Independent States destinations including Samara, Ufa and Kazan in Russia, plus Yerevan in Armenia, Baku in Azerbaijan and Tbilisi in Georgia.
Iran reopened its airspace late on June 25, coinciding with the sustained ceasefire. Iraq and Israel reopened their respective airspaces on June 24 after the ceasefire agreement. Iranian airspace remains restricted, with only international flights approved by the Iranian Civil Aviation Authority permitted.
Air Arabia confirmed all affected passengers will be notified directly via SMS and email. The airline advised travellers to check its official website for latest updates and flight status.
"Rebooking has already begun; people feel like this issue is over, and life is returning to normal," said Afi Ahmed, Chairman of Smart Travels. "They are feeling a bit stress-free. Until yesterday, people were very worried, but now we're getting normal calls, and travel bookings are flooding back in."
The airline cancelled operations to these destinations when the conflict between Iran and Israel intensified 12 days ago, causing widespread flight disruptions across the region.