05 Apr 2023 | 05:19 PM UTC
Turkey: Authorities close airspace to flights taking off from and landing at Iraq's Sulaymaniyah International Airport through at least July 3
Turkey closes airspace to flights taking off and landing at Iraq's Sulaymaniyah International Airport through at least July 3.
Event
The Turkish government has closed the nation's airspace to flights taking off from and landing at Iraq's Sulaymaniyah International Airport (ISU) through at least July 3. The measure, which went into effect April 3, is in response to an alleged increase in activity by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Sulaymaniyah, to include what Ankara asserts is the group's infiltration of the airport. No other government has as yet taken any similar action or issued any special advisories concerning a heightened PKK threat in Sulaymaniyah. Turkish authorities plan to review the situation as the initial closure order approaches its expiration date and may extend the directive if they see fit.
Cancelations and delays are possible on some flights serving ISU - particularly those operated by Turkish Airlines (TK) and Pegasus Airlines (PC) - until the closure is lifted. The durations of certain international flights operated by other airlines may be longer as carriers adjust their routes to serve ISU without transiting Turkish airspace.
Advice
Reconfirm flight schedules if booked to fly via ISU through at least July 3. Consider alternate flight arrangements.
