Direct Pakistan-Iraq flights resume after 86-day suspension

Direct flights between Iraq and Pakistan have resumed after an 86-day suspension caused by regional tensions following the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

Iraqi Airways flight IA-409 landed in Karachi from Baghdad at 4:53am today, carrying passengers on the first restored direct route between the two countries in nearly three months. Shortly afterward, flight IA-410 departed Karachi for Baghdad at 7:14 am.

The last direct flight from Baghdad to Karachi arrived on February 28, while IA-409 had previously operated its final Karachi-bound service on February 15 before operations stopped.

The airline had also planned flights on May 2 and May 3, but authorities later cancelled them due to ongoing operational concerns and regional uncertainty.

Officials say Iraqi Airways now plans to expand its Pakistan operations further by launching direct flights from Baghdad to Islamabad in the near future.

Reporter: Khurshid Rehmani