Iraq: British and US airlines among those to suspend flights over the conflict zone

British Airways announced yesterday that it was suspending all flights over Iraq.

 

A spokesman for Britain's flagship carrier said that the move was “temporary” and that it would "keep the situation under review". Flights that will be affected include those to Dubai and Oman. 

 

The move follows a similar decision taken by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which said that it was banning all US airlines from flying over the country until further notice because of the “hazardous situation” engendered by fighting between security forces and the Islamic State (IS).

 

The Islamic militant group has been taking control of large parts of northern Iraq and Syria over the past few months. US air travel below 30,000 feet in the area was already banned by the FAA on 31 July.

 

This morning, Australian airline Qantas followed suit and announced that it would be suspending flights. Other airlines that have already put a temporary ban on flights over the troubled country include the UK's Virgin Atlantic Airways, Dubai-based Emirates, Air France and Lufthansa.

 

Yesterday, the US launched an airstrike into the country to tackle the Islamic militants, after being given authorisation to do so by President Barack Obama.