Sulaimani – The first passenger plane from Turkey landed at Sulaimani International Airport on Saturday, marking the resumption of flights after a prolonged suspension. The development signals a major step toward restoring full connectivity and economic cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey.
The Turkish Pegasus Airlines flight arrived from Ankara, carrying business representatives, tourists, and officials who welcomed the reopening as a vital move for trade and travel. The resumption follows recent diplomatic engagement between Ankara and Erbil that paved the way for lifting the flight ban.
According to airport officials, regular flights between Sulaimani and major Turkish cities will now operate several times a week, providing a boost to the region’s tourism and business sectors. “This reopening means more opportunities for families, entrepreneurs, and travelers,” an airport representative said.
The ban, first imposed in 2017, had disrupted economic ties and limited Sulaimani’s direct access to international routes. Local officials described the first landing as a “symbol of renewed confidence and cooperation” between the two sides.
With growing trade, tourism, and regional stability, the flight’s return marks a turning point for Sulaimani’s economy and its role as a key gateway in the Kurdistan Region.