Dubai: UAE-based airlines Etihad, Emirates and flydubai have suspended flights to Erbil due to the deteriorating security situation in Iraq, Gulf News has learned.
In separate announcements, Etihad Airways and flydubai have advised passengers who have purchased tickets for travel to Erbil to immediately get in touch with their travel agents so that they can cancel their tickets and obtain the necessary refund.
“Due to the deteriorating security situation in Iraq, Etihad Airways has suspended all flights to Erbil effective Friday, 6 March and until further notice,” an Etihad spokesperson said in a statement sent to Gulf News.
“The safety of our passengers and employees is always our first priority, and we will continue to monitor the security situation closely before recommencing scheduled services to and from Erbil.”
The airline is offering passengers the option to cancel their tickets and get a refund, free of charge.
The refund on partially used ticket will be calculated based on the pro-rata mileage flown.
Flydubai announced on its website that aside from Erbil, flights to Sulaimaniyah have also been temporarily suspended “due to expanded military activity in the north of the country.
“The safety and security of our passengers and crew is our priority and we will continue to monitor the situation,” the airline said.
An Emirates Airline spokesperson has also been quoted as saying that they have suspended flights to Erbil effective March 7 and deferred plans to fly again to Baghdad.
“We hope to be able to resume services to Baghdad and Erbil as soon as operating conditions allow,” the airline told Reuters in a statement.
