Flight cancellations hit Erbil International Airport as demand dips

Low demand forces 10 flight cancellations at Erbil Airport during Ramadan

ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— Ten flights scheduled at Erbil International Airport have been canceled due to low passenger numbers, airport officials said.

Ahmed Hoshyar, director of Erbil International Airport, spoke to Channel8 TV and explained that the decision was driven by a lack of passengers.

He said all affected travelers were informed on Feb. 17 that their flights would not operate. Hoshyar did not provide additional details about the number of passengers booked on the canceled routes.

The suspended flights included services to and from Ankara, Istanbul, Vienna, and Doha.

These destinations are part of the airport’s regular international network, connecting Iraqi Kurdistan with Turkey, Europe, and the Middle East. Airlines typically operate these routes several times a week.

Hoshyar reassured travelers that all other scheduled flights will continue as planned. “Passengers traveling to destinations not affected by the cancellations will not experience any changes to their schedules,” he said.

Officials noted that passenger traffic usually decreases during Ramadan, continuing at a lower level until just before the Eid holiday.

Following this period, travel activity generally rises, with more visitors arriving in the Kurdistan Region and more residents traveling abroad.

Airport staff said they expect passenger numbers to increase again during Eid and other public holidays.

Erbil International Airport is one of the main airports serving the Kurdistan Region. Along with Sulaimani International Airport, it handles most of the international and domestic flights in the area.

The airport is a key gateway for residents of Iraqi Kurdistan and visitors from neighboring regions, facilitating tourism, business travel, and international connections.

The cancellations highlight seasonal variations in travel demand, which affect airport operations and scheduling.

Airport officials emphasized that the decision was made to optimize resources and ensure safe and efficient service for all passengers.

With these measures, Erbil International Airport continues to operate normally for unaffected routes while planning for the expected rise in passenger traffic later in the holiday season.