DUBAI // Etihad Airways, FlyDubai and Emirates Airline have suspended flights to Erbil citing security concerns as ISIL razes ancient cities in Iraq’s north, while Emirates has put on hold its resumption of flights to Baghdad.
FlyDubai, which was involved in a security incident in January when bullets hit one of its planes as it landed in the Iraqi capital, temporarily suspended flights to Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, both in northern Iraq, due to "expanded military activity in the north of the country", it said.
Etihad said it had suspended flights to Erbil effective from March 6 until further notice, due to the “deteriorating security situation in Iraq”.
Emirates also suspended flights to Erbil from March 7 and deferred plans to resume flights to Baghdad, which it said last month would recommence on March 1.
“We hope to be able to resume services to Baghdad and Erbil as soon as operating conditions allow,” Emirates said.
"We need to assess every part of the operation and, at the moment, we are not ready to go back in," a spokesman said. "However, we continue to operate services to Basra as scheduled."
The General Civil Aviation Authority said that no UAE aircraft currently enters Iraqi airspace unless it is flying specifically to a destination within the country.
Ismail Al Baloushi, executive director of aviation safety at the GCAA, said that although no specific incident had led to the decision to suspend flights to Erbil from the UAE, increasing military activity in the area had led to the precaution.
For those who have bought tickets to Erbil, Etihad Airways said cancellations and refunds will be free, whether the ticket is wholly or partially utilised. Ticketholders are being urged to call in at their local Etihad Airways office or call the contact centre on 02 599 0000.
ISIL militants destroyed ancient remains of the 2,000-year-old city of Hatra, in northern Iraq, officials said on Saturday. The militants also looted and bulldozed the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud last week.
The attacks have forced airlines to examine their operations in Iraq for the second time this year.
After the Baghdad airport shooting, the GCAA sent a flight-suspension directive to all UAE carriers flying to Baghdad.
FlyDubai has since continued its Baghdad flights, the carrier confirmed, while Etihad’s service to the Iraqi capital remain suspended.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
* With reporting by Reuters
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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
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8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
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9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
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Third-place-play-off: Portugal v Mexico, 4pm on Sunday
Final: Chile v Germany, 10pm on Sunday
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
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Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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The biog
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Porto 0
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Vidaamuyarchi
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Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
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Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
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