Aircraft operated by Turkish Airlines, Pegasus and AJet on services to Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, were unable to land due to a runway issue at Baghdad Airport and were diverted to Diyarbakır. A NOTAM announced that the runways would be closed for four hours.
Runway Issue in Baghdad Affected Flights
Scheduled flights operated by Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines and AJet to Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, were unable to carry out their planned landings due to a technical issue on the runway.
According to information obtained from officials, air traffic at Baghdad International Airport was temporarily suspended following a problem that occurred on the runway.
Aircraft Landed in Diyarbakır
Following the development, the aircraft were diverted to alternate airports.
Turkish Airlines’ A321 aircraft operating flight TK302 from Istanbul to Baghdad landed at Diyarbakır Airport.
Pegasus flight PC656 was also diverted to Diyarbakır.
AJet flight VF131 to Baghdad likewise landed at Diyarbakır Airport.
It has been learned that arrangements regarding passengers and the continuation of the flights will be made by the respective airlines.
NOTAM Issued: Runways Closed for 4 Hours
According to the NOTAM issued for Baghdad Airport, the runways will remain closed for the next four hours due to “maintenance works”.
Following the reopening of the runways, flight operations are expected to gradually return to normal.
Aviation sources stated that diverting aircraft to alternate airports is standard practice in accordance with operational safety procedures.
Cause of Flight Disruptions at Baghdad Airport Clarified
Iraq’s Ministry of Transport announced that the flight disruptions at Baghdad International Airport were caused by an emergency technical malfunction on the runway. Officials also stated that the incident was not related to any security threat.
Security Speculations Rejected
Iraqi authorities particularly emphasised that the closure at the airport was not linked to any internal or external security threat.
In the official statement, it was underlined that the disruption was entirely technical in nature and that any security-based speculation that may arise in the public sphere does not reflect the facts.
https://www.airportgundem.com/notam-yayimlandi-bagdat-havalimani-4-saat-kapali/
