Turkish Airlines Will Resume Istanbul to Al-Sulaymaniyah Flights
The carrier plans to restore service to the destination with four weekly flights beginning on October 25, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Air Travel
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Turkish Airlines will officially resume direct flight services between Istanbul and Al-Sulaymaniyah starting October 25, 2026. The restart follows a period of suspended travel between the two locations.
Why it matters
The resumption of these flights follows the decision by Turkiye to lift airspace restrictions that had been in place since April 2023. These limitations were originally implemented due to concerns regarding activity linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party.
Turkish Airlines is set to operate four weekly services on the Istanbul to Al-Sulaymaniyah route. This schedule marks the return of air connectivity after restrictions were enforced in April 2023.
The players
Turkish Airlines
This is the national flag carrier of Turkiye and serves as one of the largest airlines in the world by passenger destinations.
Kurdistan Workers' Party
This organization is a militant group that has been involved in a long-standing armed conflict within the region.
The details
The decision to reopen the route comes after Turkiye lifted airspace restrictions in October 2025. Passengers will soon be able to utilize these flights as the airline integrates the city back into its international network.
Timeline
Turkiye imposed flight restrictions on Al-Sulaymaniyah in April 2023.
Turkiye lifted airspace restrictions in October 2025.
Turkish Airlines resumes flights to Al-Sulaymaniyah on October 25, 2026.
Travel Outlook
This restoration of service follows Turkiye's April 2023 airspace restriction policy. The return of these flights signals the end of a long-term closure that had effectively grounded air travel between these specific transit points.
Travelers looking to fly between Istanbul and Al-Sulaymaniyah should prepare for the return of regular service starting in late October 2026. Frequent flyers should monitor official airline channels for upcoming ticket availability and specific flight departure times.
The takeaway
The return of these flights offers new options for international transit between Turkiye and the region. Passengers should ensure they confirm booking availability through the carrier as schedules are finalized.
Further reading
For more information on global transit developments, visit the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by الخارجية الأمريكية لشفق نيوز: مجاميع مدعومة إيرانياً تشكل خطراً على 4 وتردع استثماراً في العراق.
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