Turkish Flight Lands at Sulaymaniyah Airport After Ban Lift
Flights between Turkey and Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, resumed after a long suspension. The first Turkish flight landed on Sunday, marking a significant improvement in connectivity between the two regions.
Resumption of Flights
The Turkish aircraft arrived shortly after midnight, carrying passengers from Turkey. This development comes after the Turkish government lifted its ban on flights to Sulaymaniyah International Airport, which had been in place since April 3, 2023.
Background of the Flight Ban
The suspension was due to security concerns. The Turkish government cited ongoing activities of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) at the airport as a primary reason for the halt. The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey.
- Ban Initiation: April 3, 2023
- Reason for Ban: Security concerns related to PKK activities
- First Flight Resumed: November 2023
Government Actions
The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, agreed to lift the ban following a request from Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani. The cancellation of the restriction was formalized by removing the relevant Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) from international aviation listings.
As part of the resumption, the first Turkish flight is set to depart early Monday with outbound travelers, indicating a return to regular weekly services between the regions. Sulaymaniyah International Airport officials have confirmed the continuity of this service.
