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Kurdistan’s airports worried about
Baghdad’s airspace control
9.7.2012 |
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July
9, 2012
ERBIL-Hewlêr,
Kurdistan region 'Iraq', — The Iraqi government’s
tight control of Kurdish airspace is a growing
concern for Kurdistan’s airports as political
relations between Baghdad and Erbil continue to
sour. Kurdish airport directors say Iraq’s
government could close airspace without warning,
meaning planes could not land.
Kurdistan’s government has no control over the
region’s airspace. Airport officials say urgent
action is needed to address this major issue.
Airport directors say they have already started to
feel pressure from Baghdad. They say it is becoming
more difficult to get permission for landing private
jets,www.ekurd.net
while Kurdistan must seek Baghdad’s permission
for every inbound and outbound flight. Airline
operators must also ask for Baghdad’s permission.
Airport directors say a change in aviation law is
needed urgently. The current laws date back to 1974
and plans to amend the law were rejected because
they gave no authority to Kurdistan. Iraq’s
constitution only gives authority to the central
government to control all airports.
Kurdistan has two main airports and plans are
underway to build a new airport on Duhok. Kurdistan
does not get any of the income made from its
airports. All of the money goes to Baghdad.
There is no Kurdish representative in Iraq’s Civil
Aviation Agency and the agency is not independent
but belongs to Iraq’s Transport Ministry. Kurdish
airport officials say this complicates matters.
Airport officials in the region want an aviation
authority in Kurdistan with at least some power to
control aviation affairs.
The Iraqi Civil Aviation Agency told local media
that Baghdad should control aviation, and that two
authorities would lead to confusion.
But Kurdistan’s Minister of Transportation and
Communication, Jonson Siyaoosh, said the Iraqi
government is merely trying to politicize civil
aviation law along with oil and gas and other
outstanding disputes between Erbil and Baghdad.
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