MUSCAT: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced its approval for Iraqi Airways to begin operating scheduled flights to Muscat International Airport starting on January 6, 2025. This decision is seen as an important step in enhancing air connectivity between Oman and Iraq, reflecting the CAA’s strategic role in supporting the Sultanate’s position as a growing aviation hub in the region. By granting this approval, the authority aims to create more accessible travel options for passengers, while also serving broader economic, trade, and cultural interests between the two nations.
The launch of this new air route is expected to significantly boost passenger traffic between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Iraq. Officials believe that these flights will serve not only business travelers but also tourists, religious pilgrims, and expatriate communities who frequently move between the two countries. Increased connectivity will likely encourage new waves of visitors to Muscat and other Omani destinations, while also opening the door for Omanis to explore Iraqi cultural, religious, and historical landmarks more easily. Such exchanges will help strengthen people-to-people ties and promote mutual understanding.
Economically, the approval reflects the CAA’s broader ambition of fostering trade, investment, and tourism growth. Direct air links often translate into more robust commercial opportunities, enabling faster cargo movements and more efficient business travel. With Iraq’s growing demand for regional trade and Oman’s ambition to expand its logistics capabilities, the flights are expected to contribute to bilateral growth. Tourism operators also anticipate stronger activity in the coming months, with tailored travel packages likely to emerge to capitalize on the new connection.
The CAA emphasized that this step reinforces its regulatory role in ensuring safe, efficient, and expanded aviation services. By facilitating this partnership, Oman continues to cement its reputation as a regional air transport and logistics hub. The move highlights the Sultanate’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy, improve international accessibility, and strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries. This approval not only enhances the travel landscape but also reflects Oman’s vision of becoming a central node in global and regional aviation networks.
