21 Mar 2018 | 12:23 PM UTC
Iraq: International flights resume in Kurdistan March 20 /update 6
First international flights to Kurdistan airports resume March 20; travelers to Kurdistan will need Iraqi visas to enter territory
Event
On Tuesday, March 20, international flights resumed at Erbil International Airport (EBL) and Sulaymaniyah International Airport (ISU), one week after the ban on international flights to Iraqi Kurdistan was lifted. Royal Jordanian Airlines has announced that it would resume flights from Amman to EBL and ISU in early April. Tuesday’s first flight was operated by Iraqi Airways.
Both airports will operate under the authority of the central Iraqi government and not the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), as was the case in the past. As such, all international travelers arriving in Kurdistan (as well as elsewhere in Iraq) will be required to obtain an Iraqi visa prior to arrival until further notice. Previously, visitors to Kurdistan could obtain a special Kurdistan-only visa upon arrival. However, all travelers arriving in the country for the first time on a multi-entry visa will have to enter via Baghdad.
Context
The ban was initially implemented in September 2017 following a controversial independence referendum. The referendum was deemed unconstitutional by Baghdad and criticized by neighboring Iran, Turkey, and Syria (home to large Kurdish populations of their own).
Advice
Individuals wishing to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan are advised to plan accordingly and contact their nearest Iraqi embassy or consulate for further information regarding visa requirements.
