What makes an Iraq movement different
Iraq sits on important east–west routes between the Gulf, Turkey and Europe, and its main airports serve business, government, humanitarian, energy-sector and cargo traffic. Planning a flight is less about the permit form and more about checking the conditions around it: current airspace advisories, the operator's insurance, which airport suits the mission, and whether handling and fuel are confirmed for the times you need.
We treat every Iraq trip as a file that is only ready when the permit, the airport arrangements and the operator's own risk review all agree. This page explains how that works.
Overflight and landing permits
Civil overflight and landing permissions are handled by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority. Requirements depend on the operator, the aircraft's state of registry, the type and purpose of flight and the date. The snapshot above shows how our desk treats lead times: on request, because a fixed figure would not be accurate for every flight.
Overflights
Overflights are filed for the planned entry and exit points and times in the Baghdad FIR, usually as part of a longer routing that also crosses Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia. We file every state on the route together, so the slowest approval sets the timeline. See overflight permits.
Landings
Landing applications need the operator and aircraft document set, crew and passenger or cargo details, and a clear purpose of flight. Some flights also need a local sponsor or receiving organisation, which we confirm per request. See landing permits.
State, military and humanitarian flights
State and military aircraft follow a separate clearance chain and usually need more notice. Many airfields listed for Iraq are military bases and are not civil options. For government movements see diplomatic clearances. For short-notice medevac or relief flights see urgent flight permits; approval is always at the authority's discretion.
Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region
Erbil (ORER) and Sulaymaniyah (ORSJ) are in the Kurdistan Region. Permit, handling and operational requirements must be verified for each airport and each flight, and we confirm them with the relevant authorities and airport before filing.
Main civil airports
The airports most used for civil international flights are listed below. Operating hours, handling, fuel and parking are confirmed with the airport and handler for each flight.
- Baghdad International (ORBI / BGW) — see Baghdad handling
- Erbil International (ORER / EBL) — see Erbil handling
- Basra International (ORMM / BSR) — see Basra handling
- Al Najaf International (ORNI / NJF), busy during religious pilgrimage periods
- Sulaymaniyah International (ORSJ / ISU)
Airspace risk, advisories and insurance
Iraq has been the subject of airspace advisories from several states and from EASA in its Conflict Zone Information Bulletins. Advisories change, and they are the operator's own decision to assess. As part of planning we point you to the current state NOTAMs and advisories that apply to your routing, so your safety and security team can review them before you commit.
Insurance is a common reason Iraq requests stall. Check early that your hull and liability cover, including any war-risk extension, covers Iraqi airspace and the airports you plan to use, and that the certificate states it clearly. LFS does not give security assurances or assess risk on your behalf. We make sure the information you need for your own review is in front of you.
Handling, fuel and crew logistics in Iraq
LFS does not operate its own station in Iraq. Handling is booked through the licensed handlers at each airport, and our dispatcher coordinates the services under one trip reference: ramp handling, passenger and crew processing, GPU, catering, and any special requirements.
- Fuel: Jet A-1 availability and the fuel release are confirmed before departure. Some operators plan to tanker fuel where availability is uncertain. See fuel services.
- Crew: hotels, secure transport and visa questions are handled through crew logistics. Entry rules depend on nationality and on the region of arrival.
- Cargo: special loads and dangerous goods are subject to airport and authority acceptance, confirmed per flight.
How LFS handles an Iraq request
One dispatcher owns the file. We review the routing and the purpose of flight, list the documents and any missing items in one message, file the permits, and confirm the airport, handler and fuel. Before the trip is marked ready, we send you a summary that shows the permit status, ground arrangements and the advisories relevant to the route.
Iraq is often one stop on a wider regional trip. See Middle East flight support, Kuwait flight support, Jordan flight support and technical stop support.