Over 1,200 Flights Cancelled in Kurdistan Region Due to Iran-Israel War

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Sulaymaniyah International Airport.

As the conflict between Iran and Israel enters its eleventh day, both the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq continue to implement precautionary measures to ensure the safety of air travel. The ongoing hostilities have led to the cancellation of 1,283 flights at Sulaymaniyah and Erbil International Airports.

Dilan Rashid, spokesperson for the KRG Ministry of Transport and Communications, announced on Monday, 23 June 2025, that "following the closure of Iraqi airspace due to the conflict between Israel and Iran, a total of 1,283 flights have been cancelled over the past ten days." She specified that 1,184 round-trip flights were cancelled at Erbil International Airport, while 99 flights were cancelled at Sulaymaniyah International Airport.

The closure of airspace across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region—prompted by ongoing missile and drone attacks between Iran and Israel—has effectively grounded most flights, with the exception of limited operations at Basra International Airport.

Maitham al-Safi, spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Transport, stated: "We are actively monitoring the situation regarding the reopening of Iraqi airspace. Once conditions permit, Baghdad International Airport will resume operations immediately." 

He explained that the decision to reopen airspace is contingent upon the restoration of calm and a thorough assessment of air navigation safety by the General Air Navigation Company, the Civil Aviation Authority, a specialised insurance provider, and international civil aviation organisations. 

"The reopening of airports is directly linked to the stability of the security situation in Iraqi airspace," he emphasised.

Safi also noted that southern Iraqi airspace remains open, particularly at Basra International Airport, which is currently operating flights managed by the General Company for Iraqi Airways. The airport is functioning daily from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Over the past week, 74 flights have been conducted from Basra International Airport, facilitating the repatriation of more than 23,000 individuals, including both Iraqi citizens and foreign nationals—among them, Arab nationals returning to their home countries.



PUKMEDIA