Airlines from Persian Gulf States continue to fly over Iran, Iraq

Airlines from Persian Gulf countries, including Qatar Airways and Emirates, continue to fly in Iraqi and Iranian airspace and to cities in both countries after a recent military standoff between Iran and the US which led to the downing of a Ukrainian airliner near Tehran.

According to reports, following the incident, some international carriers, including Lufthansa, Air France, Singapore Airlines and Qantas, rerouted flights to avoid Iran and Iraq.

Dubai-based Emirates and sister carrier flydubai together serve 10 cities in Iran and Iraq, and have continued to use the airspace of both countries.

Kuwait Airways and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways have also continued using Iranian and Iraqi airspace.

“We will continue to fly to Iran because Iran is an important country to us and it is our neighbor and we want to serve the people of Iran,” Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker said on the sidelines of a Kuwait aviation conference.

SS