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Iran readies 32 airports for Arbaeen pilgrimage flights
Iran’s Airports and Air Navigation Company said on Tuesday it had prepared 32 international airports to handle Arbaeen pilgrimage operations starting August 8.
The company’s managing director Mohammad Amirani told state media that a central Arbaeen taskforce was formed three months ago to coordinate airlines, security forces, airport police and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps aviation protection unit to ensure smooth travel for pilgrims heading to Iraq, IRNA reported.
“We expect a sharp rise in flights to Najaf and Baghdad from border airports including Ilam, Kermanshah, Ahvaz and Abadan,” Amirani said, adding that infrastructure upgrades had been prioritized to “facilitate pilgrims’ movement.”
Flights for Arbaeen, which marks the 40th day after Ashura and draws millions of Shia pilgrims annually, will operate from August 8 to August 17. All aviation, airport operations, and airspace control centers are on standby for the surge in passengers.
Amirani noted that Isfahan and Tabriz airports, damaged during recent Israeli airstrikes, were rebuilt and are now fully operational. The 12-day strikes targeted multiple Iranian cities, prompting emergency repairs to keep aviation services running.
He urged pilgrims to book tickets only through official channels and arrive early at airports to avoid delays, warning them against carrying prohibited items.
“Serving Arbaeen pilgrims is a great honor for us,” Amirani said. He described them as “special guests” deserving the highest standard of services at what he called “Zero Pole,” an expression referring to airports as the starting point of the pilgrimage journey.