Is it safe to fly over Iraq and Iran?

There is a high risk to civil aircraft. Iraqi airspace (ORBB/Baghdad FIR) should be avoided entirely. Several countries have issued airspace warnings advising against operating in Iraqi airspace at the lower flight levels. The airspace adjoining the Baghdad FIR is also at risk: Iran, Turkey, Syria and Saudi Arabia.



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Flying costs money and fuel. Airlines do their best to fly using the shortest possible route, to save money.., Iraq & Syria are dangerous places, but they don't have a history of shooting down or harassing, civil aviation, passenger planes. so, the Airlines Over fly them!

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The US FAA recently amended their long standing Notam prohibiting US Operators from entering the ORBB/Baghdad FIR. The KICZ Notam A0036/21 used to bar flights at all levels, but now US operators are allowed to overfly Iraq provided they remain at or above FL320, as per the SFAR.

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Dubai-based Emirates and sister carrier flydubai together serve 10 cities in Iran and Iraq, and have continued to use the airspace of both countries for other flights. Kuwait Airways and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways have continued using Iranian and Iraqi airspace.

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It is likely that the choice of route is made based on financial reasons. From looking at recent flights, Emirates seems to have a preference for flying over Iraq, but occasionally flies over Iran. The ATS overflight fees of Iraq are at $3751 (approx. $0.38 per km) considerably cheaper than those of Iran.

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Etihad Airways has subsequently suspended operations through Iranian airspace over the Straits of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, and will use alternative flight paths on a number of routes to and from Abu Dhabi until further notice.

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Our risk assessment. Libya remains volatile. Safety and security on the ground is not good, and there is a significant risk to aircraft overflying due to the conflict and weapons available to militia groups.

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