Najaf airport reports 553 flights, 135,798 passengers in first half of Safar

NAJAF, Iraq — Najaf International Airport handled 553 arrivals and departures during the first 15 days of the Islamic month of Safar, averaging roughly 36 flights a day to various destinations, the airport said. Passenger traffic reached 80,658 arrivals and 55,140 departures over the same period, according to the figures. The airport said flight activity was expected to rise further in the second half of Safar, linking the projected increase to a surge in visitors preparing to travel to Iraq for the Arbaeen pilgrimage to Karbala. Airport officials indicated that additional scheduling adjustments could be made to accommodate continued visitor flows through the terminal. Najaf International Airport serves as a primary entry point for pilgrims traveling to the nearby holy cities of Najaf and Karbala during peak religious seasons.