Iraq says Baghdad airport shut due to technical fault, will reopen in hours

Baghdad International Airport experienced an unexpected operational suspension on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, due to an unspecified technical malfunction. The Iraqi Transport Ministry, communicating through the state-run INA news agency, confirmed the temporary closure while emphasizing that the situation posed no security threats whatsoever.

According to an official ministry spokesperson, engineering teams were immediately deployed to diagnose and rectify the technical fault. The ministry provided a clear timeline, assuring the public and airline operators that the airport would resume full functionality within hours following the completion of necessary repairs. The statement explicitly ruled out any domestic political instability or international security concerns as contributing factors to the incident, a point stressed to prevent speculation and maintain calm.

This disruption temporarily affected all inbound and outbound flight schedules, causing inevitable delays for passengers. The airport’s administration, in coordination with the ministry, is expected to manage the backlog of flights efficiently upon reopening. The incident highlights the critical infrastructure supporting Iraq’s primary aviation hub and the protocols in place for addressing unforeseen technical challenges, demonstrating a structured response to maintain the country’s connectivity and operational safety standards.