18 Apr 2018 | 05:23 PM UTC
Iran/Iraq: Flights between Tehran and Erbil to resume April 27 /update 7
Flights between Tehran and Erbil (Iraqi Kurdistan) to resume April 27 following stoppage after independence referendum
Event
Iranian authorities have announced that direct flights will resume from Tehran to Erbil, located in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, on Friday, April 27. The flights had previously been halted following the region's independence referendum in September 2017; Baghdad had also previously banned international flights out of the cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah (Iraqi Kurdistan).
Context
The Iraqi government allowed international flights to and from Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region to resume in mid-March, with the first international plane landing in Erbil on March 19.
Border restrictions and international flight bans were originally implemented in September 2017 following the controversial independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan. 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 planning on traveling to Iraqi Kurdistan are advised to plan accordingly and to contact the nearest Iraqi embassy or consulate for further information regarding visa requirements.
