2025-11-02T19:17:39+00:00
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Shafaq News – Al-Sulaymaniyah
Flights between Turkiye and Iraqi Kurdistan’s al-Sulaymaniyah
resumed Sunday with the arrival of the first Turkish aircraft since Ankara
lifted its months-long suspension on the airport.
Dana Mohammed Saeed, Director of Media and Public
Relations at Sulaymaniyah International Airport, told Shafaq News the aircraft would
land just after midnight, with passengers from Turkiye, and is set to depart
early Monday with outbound travelers. He added that regular weekly service will
now continue.
Turkiye halted flights on April 3, 2023, citing
security concerns and alleged Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) activity at the
airport. The Turkish government, which classifies the PKK as a terrorist
organization, repeatedly extended the ban over the following months.
According to the Kurdish presidency on October 9,
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan decided to lift the restriction
following a request from Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani.
Airport officials also confirmed that Turkish
authorities removed the restriction by deleting the relevant NOTAM (Notice to
Air Missions) from the international aviation system.
