The reason for delay in Birjand-Baghdad flight is unclear and the Iraqi side has not given any explanation for the confusion it has caused so far, Mohammad Najafi, an official in charge of Hajj and Pilgrimage in the northeastern Iranian province of South Khorasan said.
The plane was scheduled to leave Birjand for Baghdad on Saturday evening, but it has not taken off yet on Monday morning.
Although due permission has been granted to the Iraqi Airways to be active in Iran, it has not displayed its commitments up to now, Najafi said.
Iran Air used to transfer the Iranian pilgrims to the holy shrines in Iraq weekly, but the task was given to the Iraqi Airways based on an agreement because the Iranian pilgrims to Mecca are being dispatched to the annual major Hajj by Iran Air, the official noted.
Iranian officials in charge of Hajj and Pilgrimage are following up the case in order to make the Iraqi company meet its duties, Najafi stressed.