Morteza Dehqan, deputy minister of roads and urban development and CEO of the Iran Airports and Air Navigation Company, said the Arbaeen flight operation has been running smoothly, with about 1,100 flights conducted between July 22 and August 3.
He said the flights carried approximately 141,000 departing and arriving passengers during the period.
Dehqan noted that 25 international airports and air border crossings had been prepared to provide services throughout this year's Arbaeen travel operation.
He added that, for the first time, two new air traffic exchange routes had been established between Iran and Iraq, shortening flight paths from airports in southern and southeastern Iran while improving operational efficiency and air connectivity.
The official said air travel remains an attractive option for many pilgrims, adding that Arbaeen flight services are no longer concentrated at one or two major airports in the capital.
Instead, more than 20 airports across the country are providing services to pilgrims, with Arbaeen flights operating from various regions of Iran as in previous years, he said.
Arbaeen marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shiite Imam, in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Every year, millions of pilgrims from around the world travel to the Iraqi holy city of Karbala to commemorate the occasion, making it the world's largest annual religious gathering.
This year, more than four million Iranian pilgrims traveled to Iraq to take part in the Arbaeen ceremonies.