ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Sulaimani International Airport is set to start operating direct flights to European countries in the near future, the airport's director said Monday, after Turkey lifted an over two-year-long flight ban on the airport. 

“Turkey’s skies are now open toward Sulaimani,” Rebaz Mohammed, director of Sulaimani International Airport, told a press conference, saying that Sulaimani will launch “direct flights from the airport to European countries in the near future.” 

His remarks came after Turkey lifted a ban of over two years on the airport in mid-October - days after renewing it - amid tensions between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), with Turkey accusing some political groups in the region of supporting PKK militants. 

The airport received its first flight from Turkey in the early hours of Monday morning, with the plane carrying passengers back to Turkey from Sulaimani's airport shortly after landing, completing the first round-trip after the hiatus.

Mohammed noted that Turkish Airlines is currently the only agent carrying flights between Turkey and Sulaimani. However, they expect to add cheaper alternative airlines as well, and carry out four flights a week between Sulaimani and Istanbul.
 
Officials say the return of flights is expected to bring important financial and economic benefits to both sides.