Iraqi Airways flights to Damascus postponed indefinitely

DAMASCUS, Syria – Syria’s transport ministry says Iraqi Airways flights to Damascus expected for the first time since the war erupted in 2011 have been postponed indefinitely.

The ministry says the two flights scheduled for Saturday were postponed because of administrative issues between the Syrian Civil Aviation and Iraqi Airways.

It gave no further details. The delay was relayed by the Iraqi embassy.

Iraqi Airways announced Thursday it would resume flights, making it the first international company to announce plans to return to Damascus International Airport, beset for years by war and blockade.

Only Syrian Airlines remained operative at the airport, organizing some international flights.

Syria approved in April a request from Qatar Airways to fly through Syrian airspace. Airlines have avoided Syrian airspace since the war broke out, causing long detours.