Emirates to avoid Iraqi airspace as threat by insurgents grows
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Emirates airline mentioned it would stop using Iraqi airspace, amid rising security fears as Islamic insurgents continue to control large parts of the country. The announcements comes as airlines globally start rethinking flight paths following shooting down of Malaysian Airline flight MH17 by a surface-to-air missile in eastern Ukraine.
After a total of 298 people died in the Malaysian Airline disaster, the rise of Islamic insurgents formerly known as Isil (The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) in Iraq has raised security fears that a passenger jet flying over the country could fall victim to a similar attack.
“Emirates is taking precautionary measures and is currently working on alternative routing for flights using Iraqi airspace,” said an Emirates spokesperson through an email.
Emirates is yet to state possible alternative routes, and carriers already avoid flying over neighbouring Syria due to security fears with rebels, Islamic insurgents and government forces embattled in a prolonged civil war.
“We are closely monitoring the situation along with international agencies,” said the spokesperson.
Comments are closed.