ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Fly Erbil, a Kurdish airline, announced on Tuesday that it has begun operating special flights for passengers unable to travel to or from the Kurdistan Region due to the closure of the region’s airspace amid the ongoing war between the United States and Israel against Iran.
“The flights are operating between Germany and [Turkey’s southeastern province of] Sirnak, which is only a half-hour drive from the Kurdistan Region,” Lawand Mamundi, CEO of Fly Erbil, told Rudaw.
Since the outbreak of the war on Saturday, air traffic in the region has been largely suspended until further notice, resulting in multiple flight cancellations.
“We are the only company in the region that has been able to obtain Turkey’s approval to arrange flights for those wishing to return to the Kurdistan Region or travel from the Kurdistan Region to Europe,” Mamundi added.
He noted that two flights by his company between Turkey and Germany transported more than 300 passengers.
He added that additional flights are scheduled for Friday.
In a statement on Monday, the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Interior said it had secured Turkey’s approval to grant the residents of the Kurdistan Region five-day temporary transit visas to facilitate their return via Turkey. Baghdad said it had also secured a similar approval from Ankara.
The large-scale conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has engulfed the region, with significant repercussions, including for the Kurdistan Region.
The Kurdistan Region, particularly Erbil, has faced numerous drone and missile attacks by Iran and Iran-backed groups in Iraq.