Istanbul: The first flights between Istanbul and Sulaimaniyah took off today, Monday, following the reopening of Turkish airspace to flights to Sulaimaniyah Governorate. The resumption of flights between Istanbul and Sulaimaniyah, in both directions, comes after a 31-month hiatus.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the move was warmly welcomed by the residents of Sulaimaniyah, as it will greatly facilitate their travel, in addition to its positive economic impact on the city. Turkey had previously announced the closure of its airspace to flights to and from Sulaimaniyah International Airport in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq, on April 3, 2023.

Turkey attributed its decision at the time to increased activities by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its infiltration of Sulaimaniyah Airport, which, according to the Turkish authorities, posed a threat to flight safety.