Kurdistan grounds all flights due to missile danger

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - For the first time in its history, Erbil International Airport will be grounding all its flights for the next two days, said Talar Salih on Monday.

Speaking at a conference held in the region’s capital airport, Salih said all incoming and outgoing flights to the Kurdistan region have been cancelled, including those at Sulaimani Airport.

The closures are in response to a warning issued by the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority regarding Russian cruise missiles launched from the Caspian Sea that will cross through airspace in northern Iraq and Syria.

All commercial airlines have suspended operations at the region’s airports “until the integrity of the airspace can be confirmed by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority,” said a statement released from Erbil International Airport.

The closure will last through today and Tuesday, but could extend longer, the statement said. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines regarding refunds and flight rescheduling.