Turkish flights to al-Sulaymaniyah near resumption
Shafaq News – Al-Sulaymaniyah
Al-Sulaymaniyah Governor Haval Abubaker stated on Thursday that the province is awaiting an official communication from the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority to its Iraqi counterpart to finalize the technical procedures needed to resume Turkish flights to al-Sulaymaniyah International Airport.
The flights were first suspended on April 3, 2023, when Ankara cited security concerns and alleged infiltration by the PKK into the airport. Since then, Turkiye has repeatedly extended the ban on flights to and from the airport, citing the same reasons.
In a statement, Abubaker praised Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani’s "significant role in reaching the decision," emphasizing that the move would have a positive impact on the province and its residents.
He added that “extensive efforts” had been made in recent months to reopen Turkish airspace to flights to and from al-Sulaymaniyah, including serious discussions aimed at restoring operations by Turkish Airlines.
Meanwhile, Ataa Anwar, head of al-Sulaymaniyah Union of Travel and Aviation Companies, also praised Barzani’s efforts, describing them as a direct contribution to resolving the crisis that had disrupted the province’s air sector.
Speaking to Shafaq News, Anwar noted that lifting the ban would help revitalize economic and commercial activity between al-Sulaymaniyah and Turkiye.
He added that the remaining technical and administrative procedures are expected to be completed within two weeks, in coordination with the Iraqi federal government and the civil aviation authorities of both countries, paving the way for flights to resume.
