The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Thursday that it would be allowing some U.S. airlines to travel to Iraq. NBC News reported that the ruling came about on Thursday and the FAA said that starting in January, U.S. carriers would be able to fly to and from Sulaymaniyah and Erbil International Airports which are located in Northern Iraq.
Sixteen years ago, U.S. airlines were banned from flying into the area because of safety concerns.
Bloomberg Business Week reported that the FAA said in a statement, "The FAA has determined that flights by U.S. operators may now be conducted safely to these two airports under certain conditions."
The added that flights to the area have been in operation from other countries for years without incident.
"U.S. civilian flights have been allowed to operate over Iraq at altitudes above 20,000 feet (6,096 meters), and the FAA has granted permission for some commercial flights into that country under contract by the military or other agencies," reported Bloomberg Business Week.
The Transportation Security Administration must also approve of the flights into the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
NBC News reported that no U.S. airlines have signed up as of yet. Talar Faiq who is Erbil International Airport's director said in a statement to NBC News, "The lifting of the ban after 16 years is a boost to the region.
(We) look forward to welcoming U.S. registered planes in the coming months and years. The move enables us to enhance the connectivity profile of the airport and is a vote of confidence for all of us."
Airlines that currently offer service to Erbil International include Austrian Arlines, Emirates and Lufthansa. Sulaymaniyah provides service to airlines such as Royal Jordanian and Turkish Airlines.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
