The suspension of Iranian flights to Najaf Ashraf Airport by order of Ali Zaidi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, has recently become a controversial topic. This action follows internal decisions in Iraq and especially emphasizes the powers of the Civil Aviation Organization and the Ministry of Transport of this country.
Details of the Flight Suspension Decision
An Iraqi source explained that the decision-making on issues such as the suspension of flights is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Organization and the Ministry of Transport of Iraq. Ali Zaidi had instructed his office to officially communicate the ban on Iranian flights. However, this source emphasized that this matter was not within the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's office and should have been pursued through the relevant ministry.
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Powers of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Organization
The aforementioned source noted that Ali Zaidi, as the Prime Minister of Iraq, issued the order to suspend Iranian flights to the Ministry of Transport so that this ministry could communicate the matter to Najaf Airport. In fact, all matters related to airport flights in Iraq are under the control of the Civil Aviation Organization and the Ministry of Transport, and these entities are responsible for decision-making in this area.
The recent decision has been made in line with Iraq's overall policies and how this country interacts with Iran and other countries. It is expected that this suspension will have significant impacts on the travels of Iranian pilgrims, especially those traveling to Najaf during religious occasions.
The suspension of flights may be due to security, political, or economic concerns raised by Iraqi officials. Overall, this decision is considered part of Iraq's broader policies in the field of international flights and the country's foreign interactions.
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