After renewed consultation with the relevant national security authorities, the Lufthansa Group has decided to resume flights to Erbil in northern Iraq.

Erbil lies well outside the direct conflict zone in Iraq, and flights to and from the city will be routed to avoid flying over this area.

Lufthansa flies twice-weekly to Erbil and Austrian Airlines operates a daily flight.

For the time being transit traffic to Asia and the Middle East will continue to detour Iraqi airspace.

The Lufthansa Group is in close and regular contact with the relevant national security authorities including those in Iraq. 

Based on our own assessment, there is currently no danger in flying over Iraq.

Nevertheless, the Lufthansa Group has decided to avoid the Iraqi airspace above the section controlled by Isis for the time being.

“In taking this step, the Lufthansa Group is acknowledging the growing apprehension of our customers and flight crews,” explained a statement from the airline.

“The safety and wellbeing of passengers is naturally our highest priority.”

The changes in flight routes apply to all airlines in the Lufthansa Group. 

Aside from Lufthansa, those airlines include Lufthansa Cargo, Austrian Airlines and Swiss.

The new flight routes will not significantly lengthen flight times.