Erbil Airport Set for European Airlines' Return as International Flights Gradually Resume

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Erbil International Airport has recorded a 38.7 percent decline in passenger traffic during the first nine months of 2026 due to the regional war, although international airlines are gradually resuming services, with European carriers preparing to return.

Ahmed Hoshyar, Director General of Erbil International Airport, disclosed the figures during an appearance on Kurdistan24's Basi Roj program, where he discussed the impact of the conflict, the resumption of flights, aviation security, and airport development projects.

Hoshyar said the airport had initially expected passenger numbers to exceed 2.5 million this year. However, the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran resulted in the closure of Iraqi airspace for 43 days, followed by delays in the resumption of airline services. Restrictions imposed by several countries on flights to Iraq further affected passenger traffic.

"During the first nine months of this year, 1,112,839 passengers traveled through our airport, compared with 1,585,119 during the same period last year," Hoshyar said, describing a 38.7 percent decline.

He added that approximately 160 flights were canceled each month, resulting in considerable losses for the airport and the tourism sector.

European airlines prepare to resume flights

Despite the decline, Hoshyar expressed optimism about the gradual return of international carriers, announcing that Germany's Eurowings would become the first European Union airline to resume flights to Erbil.

The airline will initially deploy two aircraft serving Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, with weekly flights expected to reach 14, he said, adding that the move could encourage other European carriers to restore their services.

Austria's Austrian Airlines is also scheduled to resume flights to Erbil on December 4, bringing the number of returning European airlines to two out of four.

"We are continuing our efforts to ensure that both DHL and Greece's Aegean Airlines resume their flights as soon as possible," Hoshyar said.

Airport raises concerns over US dollar allocation

Hoshyar also criticized the Central Bank of Iraq for suspending the allocation of US dollars at the official exchange rate for passengers departing from Erbil and Jalal Talabani airports.

He explained that the process had initially operated through banks under an organized mechanism, which had received positive assessments from Central Bank inspection committees.

However, the Central Bank subsequently suspended Erbil Airport's dollar allocation through the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), without providing an explanation. Meanwhile, the arrangements at other Iraqi airports were transferred to currency exchange companies.

Hoshyar said the airport administration had sent several official letters to the Central Bank, the Iraqi Ministry of Transport, and the Kurdistan Regional Government's representation in Baghdad, seeking clarification over why the two Kurdistan Region airports had been excluded from the scheme despite their passengers holding Iraqi passports.

"We have not received any formal written response so far," he said.

He added that airport officials had raised the matter with the Iraqi Parliament's Transport Committee, describing the treatment of the two airports as unfair. However, no new decision had been communicated from Baghdad.

Aviation security and development projects

Addressing aviation security, Hoshyar said Erbil International Airport had implemented international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

He noted that Erbil Airport was the first airport in Iraq to have its operating license renewed in 2025 without any violations.

Regarding regional security threats, Hoshyar said the nature of the risks had shifted from ground-based threats to aerial threats involving drones and missiles.

"Securing the airspace across Iraq is the responsibility of the Iraqi Air Force Command and the federal government. Fortunately, Erbil Airport is operated with advanced security and radar systems, ensuring the complete safety of passengers and aircraft during any emergency or security disruption," he said.

Hoshyar also highlighted improvements to airport services, saying that, as part of the Kurdistan Region's ninth cabinet plans, payments for airport fees and services had been digitized through Mastercards.

A bank has also been made available inside the terminal to assist passengers who do not have payment cards.

He further announced that construction was continuing on a multi-storey car park at the airport under an order from Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

The project, expected to be completed next year, aims to address long-standing traffic and parking problems by allowing passengers and visitors to park their vehicles in a designated area close to the terminal.