Can planes fly over Iraq?

Iraqi airspace (ORBB/Baghdad FIR) should be avoided entirely, except for specific routes and altitudes. Several countries have long-standing airspace warnings advising against operating in Iraqi airspace at the lower flight levels.

Are you allowed to fly over Iraq?

U.S. airlines have also chosen not to fly over Iraq, though the FAA allows it as long as an altitude of 32,000 feet is maintained.

Why do planes avoid flying over Syria and Iraq?

Route recalculation

This is to ensure aircraft avoid the airspace where military conflicts are flaring. At the time of writing, a quick look at flight tracking website Flightradar24 shows global aircraft traffic avoiding the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon.

Do planes fly over the Middle East?

Usually aircraft from the Gulf to Europe and beyond fly over either Iran or Iraq. Those nations' shared border parallels the optimum flight routes. For most of the week, though, airlines have studiously avoided Iran and Iraq – switching to a southerly route over Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Are planes still flying over Iraq?

Iraqi airspace restrictions have been implemented. Only a very limited number of international flights are still going ahead.

Jets Fly Over Baghdad After Iran Hits Iraq Airbases Used By US

Is Iraq on the no fly list?

Iraq - Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Does Emirates fly over Iraq?

A few Emirates aircraft using Iraqi airspace, while the majority continue to route south through Saudi Arabia. Emirates flights also continuing to route around Iranian airspace.

How safe is Iraq airspace?

Risk Level: Two - Danger exists

July 2025: The ceasefire between Israel and Iran has held so far. All airspace in the region has largely reopened, but the corridor between Israel and Iran remains high risk if the conflict resumes. Even aside from these recent events, there are high risks to civil aircraft in Iraq.

Can planes fly over Iran?

Only international transit flights allowed in Iran's western airspace, Tasnim. DUBAI, June 30 (Reuters) - Iran's western and central airspace is open only to international transit flights, a spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Roads and Urban Development said on Monday, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency ...

Does Qatar Airways fly over Iraq?

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways has confirmed the resumption of its full flight operations to Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria following the lifting of airspace restrictions in the region.

Is Iraq a no-fly zone?

On August 27, 1992, the United States, Great Britain, and France made a joint decision to establish a “no fly” zone in southern Iraq. The decision not to allow Iraqi aircraft south of the 32d parallel was controversial.

Can you fly over Israel?

Risk Level: One - Do Not Fly

The primary risk is from short-notice airspace closures due to Iran/Israel airstrikes if the conflict resumes, but also due to ongoing threat of rocket and missile attacks from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Is flying over Saudi Arabia safe?

Risk Level: Two - Danger exists

Prior to the June 2025 conflict between Israel and Iran, several countries already had airspace warnings in place for Saudi Arabia. Since 2023, risks to aircraft operating over the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea have increased due to the conflict in Israel/Gaza.

Do Israeli planes fly over Iraq?

WASHINGTON, June 20 (Reuters) - Iraq's representative to the United Nations said 50 Israeli warplanes planes violated Iraqi airspace shortly before a U.N. meeting on the Israel-Iran conflict on Friday. Abbas Kadhom Obaid Al-Fatlawi, charge d'affaires of Iraq's U.N.

Can Brits visit Iraq?

Passport validity requirements

To enter Iraq, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

Who controls Iraq airspace?

The Iraqi Air Force (IQAF; Arabic: القوة الجوية العراقية, romanized: al-Qūwah al-jawwīyah al-ʻIrāqīyah) is the aerial warfare service branch of the Iraqi Armed Forces. It is responsible for the defense of Iraqi airspace as well as the policing of its international borders.

Is Iraqi airspace open?

Iraq has announced the reopening of its airspace, closed since June 13.

Can Iran defend its airspace?

the IRIADF utilizes various air defense systems and technologies, such as surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and radar systems. The main objective of the Iranian Air Defense Force is to detect, identify, and neutralize hostile aircraft, drones, and missiles operating within the airspace of Iran.

Does Air France fly over Iran?

Sources: "France's airline Air France said on Wednesday the company has suspended flights over Iraq and Iran airspace after Iranian missile strikes targeting U.S.-led forces." (Reuters, "Air France suspends flights over Iraq and Iran airspace," 1/8/20).

What is the safest airspace in the world?

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Sunday that the U.S. has “the safest airspace in the world.”

Can you fly over Antarctica?

Can planes fly to Antarctica? Yes, you can fly across the Drake Passage to King George Island, and then continue on by ship. The Antarctic Express: Fly The Drake itinerary takes you over the southern continent via the Drake Passage by way of a chartered plane that takes you to your vessel.

Is Iraq still at war?

The renewed war drew an American-led intervention in 2014. The most recent war in the country came to a close in 2017 as the Iraqi government and its allies largely defeated the IS, which was followed by a low-level IS insurgency in certain rural northern parts of the country.

Does Qatar Airways fly over Syria?

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways today announces the resumption of three weekly flights to Aleppo, Syria from 10 August 2025. The flights will be increased to four weekly flights from 1 September 2025. Qatar Airways operations to the city first began in 2011.

Are flights still avoiding Iran?

Most operators have been avoiding Iran and Israel since the Oct 2024 rocket attacks between the two countries — most Middle East transits have been operating south via Egypt/Saudi instead. Major events: June 2025: Israel/Iran missile attacks.

Does the US have flights to Iraq?

There are 23 airlines that fly from the United States to Iraq. The most popular route is from Detroit Metro Airport in Detroit to Baghdad International Airport in Baghdād. On average this flight takes 16 hours 17 minutes one-way and costs $1,886 round-trip.