Iraqi Airways (IA) began a series of evacuation flights on March 15, 2026, for stranded passengers using Arar Airport in Saudi Arabia as a temporary transit point into Iraq, amid airspace closures across the Middle East following reports of coordinated U.S. and Israeli military strikes targeting Iran.
Repatriation Operations via Arar Airport
On March 13, 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Riyadh announced the completion of procedures to receive stranded Iraqi citizens arriving from India and Egypt through Arar for a safe return to Iraq.
By March 15, 2026, the Iraqi national carrier began airlift operations out of Cairo International Airport (CAI) and Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (IGI) to repatriate Iraqi passengers by reactivating one of its Boeing 737-800s registered YI-ASR, ADS-B data shows. Passengers from these destinations were flown into Arar Airport (RAE), situated on the northern border of Saudi Arabia, from where transit by bus to Iraq was provided.
As of March 21, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Iraq stated in a press release that Iraqi Airways completed a total of eight repatriation flights into Arar Airport, including six flights from New Delhi and two from Cairo.
The Iraqi Embassy coordinated the smooth transit of its citizens at Arar Airport, working alongside officials and entities operating at the airport and port. The joint efforts also extended to the arrangement of land transport such as buses and ambulances, to transport citizens and patients requiring extensive medical care and support.
Iraq has expressed its appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for assisting with the cross-border transfer of its citizens.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Safia Taleb Al-Suhail, commended the combined efforts of various stakeholders in making this mission successful.
Regional Crisis, Uncertain Skies
Geopolitical tensions in the region escalated on Feb. 28, 2026, following reports of coordinated U.S. and Israeli military strikes targeting Iran, including sites in Tehran. Iran’s response prompted multiple airspace closures across the region leading many global carriers to cancel or divert flights.
According to ch-aviation data, of its total fleet of 42 aircraft, three were stationed outside Iraq during the airspace closure. This included two 737-800s and one CRJ900, with one of the 737-800s deployed for the repatriation flights.
To date, the Iraqi Aviation Authority has been issuing interim closure windows as the situation continues to evolve. According to the latest statement, which was issued on March 19, 2026, the closure will continue until noon on March 22, 2026. This decision applies to all incoming, outgoing, and transit flights, the authority stated.
As Middle East airspace closure continues to disrupt global aviation, how long do you think it will be before the skies reopen? Let us know in the comments below.
