In a statement by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), it was announced that the number of flights from Sulaymaniyah’s Celal Talabani International Airport to Turkey will be increased in the coming days.
Flight Numbers to Be Increased After 2.5 Years
Dana Muhammed, the spokesperson for Celal Talabani International Airport, announced that following Turkey’s decision to lift the flight ban after 2.5 years, the number of weekly flights will be increased. Initially, there were 3 to 4 flights per week, but starting tomorrow, this will rise to 8. Muhammed mentioned that the number of flights will gradually increase and continue until it reaches the pre-ban levels.
Turkey’s Decision to Lift the Flight Ban
Turkey had imposed a flight ban on Sulaymaniyah in April 2023. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited the intensification of PKK terrorist activities in the region and the group’s infiltration of the airport as reasons for the flight security threat. However, after KRG President Nechirvan Barzani’s appeal to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on October 9, it was decided to lift the flight ban.
Expectations for the Airport and Flights
Sulaymaniyah’s Celal Talabani International Airport plays a crucial role in air traffic between Turkey and Iraq, being one of the most important airports in the region. Increasing the number of flights will significantly contribute to the development of both trade and tourism, while further strengthening the relations between the two countries.
