After more than two years of suspended air travel between Turkey and Sulaimani International Airport, flights are set to resume soon following diplomatic efforts led by Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani.
The Turkish government imposed a flight ban on Sulaimani Airport on April 3, 2023, citing political tensions linked to relations between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The embargo halted all flights between Turkey and Sulaimani and closed Turkish airspace to aircraft departing from or arriving at the city, including diplomatic flights.
Since then, Turkey had extended the ban multiple times—the most recent being on October 6, 2025—causing significant economic and social repercussions in the region. With airspace restricted, travelers were forced to use airports in Erbil and Kirkuk, while airlines, local businesses, and the tourism sector suffered considerable losses.
According to statistics, between 2011 and 2022, Sulaimani International Airport handled approximately 71,831 flights, accounting for nearly 30 percent of Kurdistan’s total air traffic. The prolonged suspension sharply reduced passenger movement and trade activity, undermining Sulaimani’s status as one of the region’s key travel hubs.
The breakthrough came after President Nechirvan Barzani’s visit to Ankara on October 9, 2025, where he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the talks, Erdogan reportedly pledged to normalize air travel and lift the embargo on Sulaimani Airport.
Dana Mohammed, head of Sulaimani International Airport’s press office, confirmed to Kurdistan24 that the issue had been discussed directly between the two leaders. “President Barzani raised the matter with President Erdogan, who expressed readiness to restore air connectivity,” he said.
Following the announcement, Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Üstün said the airline plans to resume regular flights between Turkey and Sulaimani seven days a week, describing the decision as vital to strengthening economic, cultural, and tourism ties between Turkey and Iraq.
The flight ban had dealt a severe blow to Sulaimani’s economy. With no direct flights to Turkey, many travelers had to reroute through other airports, and several businesses dependent on trade and tourism faced major challenges. The lifting of the embargo is now viewed as a key step toward reviving Sulaimani’s economic vitality and reconnecting it with regional and international markets.
The people of Sulaimani and political parties across the Kurdistan Region have widely welcomed the announcement, expressing gratitude to the President of the Kurdistan Region for his diplomatic efforts.
Observers note that the resumption of flights not only restores an essential transportation link but also represents a significant diplomatic success for the Kurdistan Region, paving the way for greater regional cooperation and economic growth.
