National carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) is expected to resume flights to Iraqi airports by 30 October.

The development comes 27 years since Saudia’s flights to Iraq were suspended as a result of the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces.

On 18 October, privately-owned low-cost carrier Flynas also conducted its first flight between Riyadh and Baghdad, with plans to expand service to other Iraqi cities.

The resumption of flights after nearly three decades is one of the major indicators of improving relations between the two countries, which share a border.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is currently visiting Saudi Arabia and said in a tweet on 21 October that he values “[Saudi Arabia's] King Salman’s friendship.”

Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih also met with his Iraqi counterpart Jabar al-Luaibi in Baghdad on 21 October, his second during the year. Both agreed to cooperate in implementing decisions adopted by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) to curb global oil supply, a local report said.