Baghdad’s decision to close Kurdistan airports ‘Wrong’: KRG Transportation Minister

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Transportation Minister of the Kurdistan Region Mawlud Bawamurad on Wednesday said Iraqi Federal Government’s decision to suspend flights to the region’s airports was "wrong" and "inappropriate."

Following the Kurdistan Region’s referendum on independence on Monday, Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi gave a three-day ultimatum to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to hand over its airports, border-crossings and oil revenue to Baghdad.

"We want to have a dialogue with Baghdad regarding this decision,” Bawamurad said in a press conference held in Erbil. “Both the Erbil and Sulaimani airports were built with the Kurdistan Region’s budget and the permission of the Iraqi Federal Government, and according to the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority’s guidelines."

He explained there had been "good cooperation" with the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority so far, and that all flights to both airports have been under the supervision and approval of Baghdad.

The Kurdish Minister noted the Federal Government of Iraq had permitted both airports to operate, and that "they have been operating under the instructions and orders of Baghdad."

“Every decision and instruction issued by Baghdad have been implemented in both airports. There is no difference between the Erbil and Sulaimani airports and the Najaf and Basra airports in their relations with the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority,” Bawamurad added.

He stressed that the closure and suspension of flights to and from both airports would directly affect the daily lives of people in the region and the fight against the Islamic State (IS).

"The Erbil airport now plays a significant role for the US-led coalition’s warplanes in the fight against Da’esh," the minister said, using the Arabic pejorative acronym for IS.

Bawamurad concluded by expressing the Kurdistan Region’s readiness for dialogue to resolve the issue.

“If it is a form of punishment in response to the Kurdistan Region’s referendum on Monday, talks will end with no result. The management of the airports has nothing to do with the political situation,” he argued.

The Director Generals of both the Erbil International Airport and Sulaimani International Airport were also present at the press conference where they shared their concerns regarding Baghdad’s decision.

Editing by G.H. Renaud