Peregraf
The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority has extended its airspace closure to Sulaymaniyah International Airport until October 6, 2025, prolonging a ban that has been in place since April 2023.
Turkey first imposed the ban on April 3, 2023, citing security concerns linked to alleged activities by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the area. Although the restriction was initially planned for three months, it has since been repeatedly extended and remains in effect more than two years later.
In a press statement on July 2, 2024, Handren Hiwa Mufti, Director of Sulaymaniyah Airport, said the closure had caused significant financial losses. “In the past 14 months, the airport has lost around $10 million,” he noted, adding that approximately 35% of flights have been suspended due to Turkey’s ongoing ban.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry maintains that the airspace closure is necessary due to increased PKK activity in Sulaymaniyah, including what it described as infiltration of the airport itself—posing a threat to aviation security. “PKK activities in Sulaymaniyah have increased and infiltrated the airport, which threatens aviation security,” the ministry said.
Sulaymaniyah officials firmly reject the accusations, insisting that the airport is a civilian facility and that Turkey’s justification for the ban lacks evidence.