Iraq bans air transport of gold, mobile phones to Kurdistan’s airports

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority has instructed airline companies not to transport gold, mobile phones, and information technology equipment through Erbil and Sulaimani airports, according to an official letter seen by Rudaw.

The directive was issued by the Air Transport Department of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority and circulated to airline companies operating at all airports across the country.

According to the letter, gold, mobile phones, and all IT equipment are prohibited from being transported via air freight and cargo to both Erbil and Sulaimani airports.

The decision was justified by the absence of representatives from the Federal Quality Control Authority at the two airports, who are responsible for inspecting and sealing imported gold. The letter also cited the lack of formal approvals for mobile phones and IT equipment issued by the Communications and Media Commission.

An official from one of the airline companies operating in the Kurdistan Region, who spoke to Rudaw on condition of anonymity, confirmed the authenticity of the document.

“These letters are genuine and were issued in light of a federal government decision that was released a few days ago,” the official said.

The letter states that the measures are linked to the enforcement of customs law aimed at regulating the transportation of goods by air to Erbil and Sulaimani airports.

The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government over customs procedures and administrative authorities at the Region’s airports. 

Hours after Rudaw reported the ban, the federal government revoked the decision.

“This morning, the letter issued by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority to airline companies regarding the ban on importing and transporting gold and mobile phones through Erbil and Sulaimani international airports was revoked and will no longer be enforced," Jihad Diwan, director of media and communications at the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, told Rudaw on Thursday.

He added that they have informed all airline companies about the update.

Hastiyar Qadir and Nahro Mohammed contributed to this article from Erbil, Kurdistan Region. 

 

Updated at 12:23 pm with the revocation of the decision.