Erbil Airport Pairs Up with Jalal Talabani International Hub at Centre of Iraqi Kurdistan Travel Crisis as Iranian-Linked Strikes Force Selective Cancellations, Delays and Urgent Passenger Checks

Written By: Subhadip Dey

Subhadip Dey

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July 18, 2026 12:59 GMT+5:30

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Erbil International Airport and Sulaymaniyah’s Jalal Talabani International Airport became the centre of fresh Middle East travel disruption on Saturday after missile and drone attacks across Iraq’s Kurdistan Region prompted several airlines to cancel or delay services. Initial reporting described a suspension at both gateways, but official flight information later showed that operations had not stopped completely. Flights operated by Iraqi Airways, UR Airlines and EgyptAir were recorded as completed, while Air Arabia was shown en route and other regional services remained scheduled. The verified picture is therefore one of selective disruption rather than a continuous shutdown, with carriers applying different security assessments in response to an unpredictable operating environment.

The disruption followed a violent sequence on Friday involving drones intercepted above Erbil, missile strikes near Iranian Kurdish opposition positions in Sulaymaniyah and an attack on an ammunition facility in Tasluja. The Kurdistan Regional Government attributed the broader assault to Iran and demanded an immediate end to the escalation, although responsibility for every incident was not independently established. For travellers, the distinction matters: an airport may remain open while individual operators cancel services because of airspace risk, crew availability or aircraft positioning. Passengers travelling through Istanbul and Amman faced the clearest cancellations, while connections involving Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, Cairo and several Iraqi cities displayed mixed but continuing activity.

Official Flight Boards Reveal Partial Disruption at Both Gateways

Erbil International Airport’s official flight information showed multiple cancellations on July 18, particularly among services connected with Istanbul and Amman. However, completed arrivals from London Gatwick, Cologne, Cairo, Baghdad and Damascus demonstrated that the gateway was not experiencing an uninterrupted closure.

The official board at Jalal Talabani International Airport presented a similar pattern. Pegasus and Royal Jordanian services were cancelled, but an Iraqi Airways departure to Istanbul was recorded as completed. A Qatar Airways flight to Doha was delayed rather than withdrawn.

These records indicate that the security crisis caused substantial disruption without producing a confirmed, continuous shutdown of both Kurdistan Region airports. Scheduled flights could still change, making airline confirmation essential before departure.

Airlines and International Routes Face Uneven Cancellations

Carriers did not respond uniformly to the regional threat. Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AJet and Royal Jordanian recorded the most visible cancellations. Iraqi Airways continued selected domestic and international operations, while UR Airlines and EgyptAir completed services into Erbil.

The concentration of cancellations on Turkish and Jordanian routes suggests that carrier-specific security and operational decisions played a significant role. It does not resemble a uniform national order grounding every commercial aircraft.

Drone and Missile Attacks Intensify Aviation Concerns

The disruption followed the interception of eight explosive-laden drones over Erbil during the early hours of July 17. Kurdistan’s Counter-Terrorism Directorate reported that coalition air defences destroyed the aircraft without casualties but did not initially identify their origin or intended targets.

Additional drones were later reported near the United States Consulate in Erbil. In Sulaymaniyah province, strikes hit positions associated with Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, while an explosive drone struck an ammunition facility in Tasluja, igniting a fire and secondary explosions.

The Kurdistan Regional Government publicly blamed Iran for attacks across the region. Iranian Kurdish opposition representatives also attributed the fatal missile strike near Sulaymaniyah to Tehran. Nevertheless, responsibility for every projectile or drone had not been independently verified, making “Iranian-linked” or “attributed to Iran” the most accurate description.

EASA Warning Raises Pressure on Regional Airlines

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency currently classifies Iraqi airspace as a high-risk conflict zone. Its active Iraq bulletin covers the entire Baghdad Flight Information Region at every altitude and recommends that affected operators avoid flying within it until August 31, unless the guidance is reviewed earlier.

EASA identified recurrent missile and drone attacks, active air-defence systems, armed groups, possible aircraft misidentification and limited security coordination as key threats. The recommendation does not legally close Iraqi airspace, but it can influence European carriers, insurers, route planners and international airline safety departments.

This explains how Iraqi and regional airlines may continue operating while other carriers cancel flights independently. The result is an unstable timetable in which services can be withdrawn, restored or rerouted within hours.

Travellers Face Connection and Rebooking Challenges

Passengers connecting through Istanbul or Amman face the greatest immediate uncertainty because several flights involving these hubs were cancelled. Travellers using Doha, Dubai or Sharjah also need to monitor both sectors of their journey because disruption elsewhere in the Gulf can affect aircraft rotations and connecting schedules.

Passengers should obtain confirmation directly from their airline before travelling to either airport. Airport departure boards provide an important operational snapshot, but airline systems determine whether tickets are rebooked, refunded or transferred to another service.

Alternative land journeys should not automatically be considered safer. International travel advisories warn that border crossings can close without notice and that road travel in Iraq carries significant security risks. Travellers should avoid making unverified cross-border arrangements during a rapidly changing security situation.

Outlook for Erbil and Sulaymaniyah Air Travel

Both airports remain strategically important gateways for Iraqi Kurdistan, connecting the region with Türkiye, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt and European cities. Their operations have already experienced repeated interruptions during the wider Iran conflict in 2026.

Further drone or missile activity could trigger renewed cancellations or a formal Iraqi airspace restriction. Until the threat decreases, travellers should expect limited-notice changes even when an airport remains technically open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports completely closed?
No. Official boards showed partial operations alongside cancellations and delays.

Why were flights cancelled in Iraqi Kurdistan?
Airlines adjusted operations after missile and drone attacks increased regional aviation risks.

Which airlines recorded cancellations at Erbil?
Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AJet and Royal Jordanian displayed cancelled services.

Did any flight leave Sulaymaniyah on July 18?
Yes. An Iraqi Airways service to Istanbul was recorded as departed.

Was Qatar Airways operating from Sulaymaniyah?
Its Doha service was displayed as delayed rather than cancelled.

Was Erbil International Airport directly attacked?
No confirmed report established that the passenger terminal or runway was struck.

Who was blamed for the attacks?
The Kurdistan Regional Government attributed the broader attacks to Iran.

Is Iraqi airspace officially closed?
No same-day nationwide closure order was confirmed during the operational check.

What does the EASA warning mean?
It recommends that affected operators avoid Iraqi airspace because of conflict-related dangers.

What should affected passengers do?
They should confirm their status with the operating airline before approaching the airport.