Sulaimani governor thanks President Barzani for role in lifting airport ban

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Sulaimani is awaiting official notification from Turkey and Iraq’s civil aviation authorities regarding the lifting of the flight ban on the province’s international airport, the governor said on Thursday, expressing gratitude to Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani for his efforts in achieving the breakthrough.

In a statement on his official Facebook page, Governor Haval Abubakir wrote, "On behalf of Sulaimani province, we express our gratitude for all the efforts exerted by the esteemed President of the Kurdistan Region, the President of the Republic of Turkey and all those who have continuously worked in the past and present to lift the ban on Sulaimani International Airport."

President Barzani arrived in Ankara on Thursday, where he held high-level talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The discussions covered a wide range of political, economic and security issues.

According to the Sulaimani governor, lifting the ban on Sulaimani International Airport was among the key topics raised during President Barzani’s meeting with President Erdogan.

"With the support of past efforts and through the strong advocacy and firm request of His Excellency President Nechirvan Barzani, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan graciously decided to lift the ban on Sulaimani International Airport," Abubakir said.

"We are currently awaiting the official electronic notification (NOTAM) from the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority to both the Iraqi Federal Civil Aviation Authority and Sulaimani International Airport,” he concluded.

Earlier in the day, Rudaw learned that President Erdogan had agreed to lift the flight ban following a request from President Barzani.

A source speaking to Rudaw on condition of anonymity said that during their meeting, the Turkish president asked President Barzani, “Why do you care so much about Sulaimani?” to which the latter replied, “I am the President of the Kurdistan Region, and half of me is from Sulaimani.” President Erdogan reportedly laughed in response.

Yahya Ustun, Senior Vice President of Turkish Airlines’ communications department, also confirmed the news in a post on X, stating that flights to Sulaimani will resume soon.

“As the flag carrier, we continue to proudly represent Turkey in the skies around the world. In line with this vision, we are thrilled to soon reunite our Sulaimani route with the skies once again,” he wrote.

Ustun elaborated, “With our Sulaimani flights, which will operate regularly seven days a week, we aim to further strengthen the commercial, cultural and touristic ties between Iraq and Turkey.”

The Kurdistan Region Presidency also expressed its appreciation to President Erdogan for lifting the ban, stating, "This decision reflects the strong relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the Republic of Turkey which we are confident will be helpful and cooperative in further advancing mutual cooperation and will be in the interest of both sides, especially in the interest of our citizens in Sulaimani province."

Turkey had extended its flight ban on Sulaimani International Airport earlier this week, on Monday, for an additional three months.

Ankara originally imposed the ban on April 3, 2023, citing an alleged “intensification” of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) activity in Sulaimani province. The decision followed the crash of two helicopters in the province a month earlier, which were reportedly carrying Syrian Kurdish fighters.