FlyErbil plane makes emergency landing in Croatia: TV

FlyErbil plane makes emergency landing in Croatian — A FlyErbil airplane in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, 2021. Photo: flyebl.com

ZAGREB, Croatia,— A FlyErbil flight en route to London made an emergency landing in Croatia on Saturday, December 21, 2024, following technical problems that reportedly caused some passengers to lose consciousness.

The airline, regarded as the de facto national carrier of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, issued a statement citing adverse weather conditions as the reason for the landing, NRT TV reported. However, passengers onboard described a more alarming situation.

According to NRT TV, several travelers fainted during the incident, though specific medical details were not immediately disclosed. One passenger, who spoke with the outlet, claimed the aircraft appeared to face risks of descending further before safely touching down at a Croatian airport.

The precise nature of the technical issue remains unclear.

Efforts by iKurd News to obtain additional details from FlyErbil were unsuccessful, as the airline had not responded to requests for comment by the time this report was published. iKurd News also could not independently verify the details of the incident.

The incident unfolded while the plane was in Croatian airspace, forcing the crew to divert the flight for safety. Emergency protocols ensured a safe landing, though the event sparked concern among passengers and their families.

FlyErbil, which operates international routes connecting Iraq’s Kurdistan region with Europe and the Middle East, has not provided a timeline for when the aircraft will resume operations or if the affected passengers will be accommodated on another flight.

FlyErbil is reportedly owned by the ruling Barzani family or a company closely associated with them.