Several Iraqi travel agencies say the US ban on Iranian airlines could severely disrupt their business, forcing them to explore alternatives, such as hours-long land routes, to Iran, AFP reports.

Iraq is one of the top destinations for Iranian airlines, mainly transporting Iraqi pilgrims to Iran’s holy cities or Iranians to sacred sites in Iraq.

Several travel agencies say panicked clients are calling for updates, but with no official announcement yet, they have few answers to offer.

In Najaf, travel agent Haidar Shamaa says “most travel companies in the city depend on booking flights” to Iranian airports.

Although land routes to Iran are available, they can prove difficult for many, especially sick Iraqis seeking treatment in Iran and the elderly, Shamaa and other travel agents explain.

Instead of a flight lasting only a few hours, passengers headed to the holy city of Qom would have to take a journey of more than 12 hours from the border. Other main destinations are even farther.