Erbil airport welcomes first-ever direct flight from United States

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – In a statement on Tuesday, Erbil International Airport (EIA) said it welcomed its first-ever direct passenger flight from the United States.

The statement said the special diplomatic flight operated by the state-run Egypt Air arrived at 10:52 a.m. Erbil time following the 6,000-mile (9,656 kilometers) flight.

“The 10 hour, 33-minute flight was the longest passenger flight to arrive in Erbil since the new airport opened in 2011,” the statement said.

“The route took MS3052 north from Washington, passing just south of Iceland in the North Atlantic before coming South to cross Europe and onward to Erbil.”

“Despite these challenging times, it is important to note this milestone that adds to the history of the airport and the region’s development,” Erbil Airport Director Talar Faiq said in the statement. 

“This was a one-off flight but it takes a welcome place in our history.”

EIA is currently closed to commercial aviation until May 22 following an order by the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority to close flights to passenger traffic.

The decision exempts certain flights, including those from the Red Crescent, as well as health assistance and emergency flights, and those carrying cargo.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany