Emirates resume operating some flights over Iraq
Dec 12, 2017, 2:15 am
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
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Emirates resume operating some flights over Iraq
Emirates and flydubai have resumed using Iraqi airspace for flights to other countries, the Middle East airlines said on Monday, two days after Iraq declared victory in its years-long fight against Islamic state.
Several airlines stopped flying over Iraq in 2014 on safety concerns because of the conflict and after a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet was shot down over Ukraine the same year.
Airlines have instead been flying longer routes over Iran and other countries, increasing congestion in the region, with many airlines also avoiding Syrian airspace.
The use of Iraqi airspace is likely to help Emirates and flydubai to save on fuel costs by shortening flying hours and also reduce regional airspace congestion.
Several airlines stopped flying over Iraq in 2014 on safety concerns because of the conflict and after a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet was shot down over Ukraine the same year.
Airlines have instead been flying longer routes over Iran and other countries, increasing congestion in the region, with many airlines also avoiding Syrian airspace.
The use of Iraqi airspace is likely to help Emirates and flydubai to save on fuel costs by shortening flying hours and also reduce regional airspace congestion.
Dec 15, 2017, 2:05 am
#6
Ambassador, Emirates
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I wonder how they decide which flights overfly Iraq. Currently (on FR24), EK123 (DXB-IST) is over Iraq. But EK206 (JFK-DXB) has made a clear 'detour' to miss it. There are also three QR flights (DOH-BRU, but the other two originate in Iraq ) and a BA (DXB-LHR) flight there. All still avoiding Syria though...
Dec 15, 2017, 2:44 am
#7
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I wonder how they decide which flights overfly Iraq. Currently (on FR24), EK123 (DXB-IST) is over Iraq. But EK206 (JFK-DXB) has made a clear 'detour' to miss it. There are also three QR flights (DOH-BRU, but the other two originate in Iraq ) and a BA (DXB-LHR) flight there. All still avoiding Syria though...
Dec 15, 2017, 2:46 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
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I wonder how they decide which flights overfly Iraq. Currently (on FR24), EK123 (DXB-IST) is over Iraq. But EK206 (JFK-DXB) has made a clear 'detour' to miss it. There are also three QR flights (DOH-BRU, but the other two originate in Iraq ) and a BA (DXB-LHR) flight there. All still avoiding Syria though...
- possible flight level, i.e. how high can they overfly, though EK123 is a 77W and at FL360 so not that high (777s actually generally fly relatively low compared to A380s)
- overflight costs
- origin and destination country restrictions (flight originating from JFK - US might have restrictions on filing flight plans over Iraq, or perhaps the aircraft is more likely to be targeted as it will be carrying a lot of US pax)
- winds
I believe EK dispatch balances overflight costs with winds and will put in a detour if the extra fuel costs less than the shorter route in terms of overall costs.
Dec 15, 2017, 1:12 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2009
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EK226 (SFO-DXB) is still avoiding Iraq and preferring Iran as of the last few days.
Dec 16, 2017, 3:53 am
#10
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
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Dec 16, 2017, 4:13 pm
#11
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Dec 17, 2017, 3:55 am
#12
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