ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The international airport of the Kurdistan Region’s eastern Sulaimani province on Sunday braced itself to resume flights to Turkey, ending a nearly two-and-a-half-year flight ban. The restriction was lifted in early October following a request from Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Rebaz Mohamed, acting CEO of Sulaimani International Airport, told reporters at the airport, “We are pleased to announce that today marks the resumption of flights between Sulaimani and Turkey after years of suspension. In the near future, we also plan to launch direct flights to several European countries, which will significantly boost the tourism sector.”
Turkey initially imposed the flight ban on April 3, 2023, citing an alleged “intensification” of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) activity in Sulaimani province. The decision came after two helicopters carrying Syrian Kurdish fighters crashed in the province a month earlier.
In early October, Ankara extended the ban for another three months. However, during that same period, President Barzani, who was on an official visit to Ankara, raised the issue directly with President Erdogan.
A source then told Rudaw on condition of anonymity that President Barzani successfully persuaded the Turkish President to lift the ban. According to the source, Erdogan asked President Barzani, “Why do you care so much about Sulaimani?” to which the latter responded, “I am the President of the Kurdistan Region, and half of me is from Sulaimani.” Erdogan reportedly laughed upon hearing this.
Yahya Ustun, Senior Vice President of Turkish Airlines’ Communications, also confirmed the resumption of flights in early October in a post on X, stating, "As the flag carrier, we continue to proudly represent Turkey in the skies around the world. In line with this vision, we are thrilled to soon reunite our Sulaimani route with the skies once again.
“With our Sulaimani flights, which will operate regularly seven days a week, we aim to contribute to further strengthening the commercial, cultural, and touristic ties between Iraq and Turkey,” he added.
The Kurdistan Region Presidency in early October expressed gratitude to President Erdogan for lifting the ban, remarking, “This decision comes within the framework of the strong relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Republic of Turkey, which we are confident will be helpful in advancing mutual cooperation and serve the interests of both sides - especially our citizens in Sulaimani province.”