Air travel from the Kurdistan Region has returned to normal after months of disruption. Officials from Fly Erbil confirmed that flight operations have recovered. However, passengers now pay higher fares because airlines face rising fuel costs.
Lawand Mahmundi, Chief Executive Officer of Fly Erbil, said the airline has restored operations to pre-war levels. The company now operates about 35 flights each week. He said passenger demand has also recovered.
Mahmundi explained that Fly Erbil increased ticket prices by 10%. He said higher aviation fuel prices forced the airline to raise fares. Fuel costs increased after concerns grew over shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz during recent regional tensions.
He added that airlines across Europe also increased their fares. In many European countries, ticket prices have climbed between 25% and 30%. Airlines continue to face higher fuel and operating costs.
Despite higher fares, Fly Erbil expects travel demand to remain steady. The airline believes more passengers will travel as confidence continues to improve. Regular flight schedules have also encouraged more bookings.
Rebin Khasraw, manager of Moon Line Travel and Tourism, said the market could grow further. He expects passenger numbers to rise if the United States and Iran reach a lasting agreement. Many travelers still hesitate to book flights. They want more confidence that regional air travel will remain stable.
Khasraw said stronger political stability would encourage more tourists and business travelers to fly again. Travel agencies believe demand could rise quickly once passengers trust that airlines will maintain regular schedules.
Regional air traffic faced major disruption during recent months. Military tensions involving Israel, the United States, and Iran affected airspace across the Middle East. Several airlines suspended flights or changed their routes for safety reasons.
Now, flight schedules have largely returned to normal. Airlines and travel agencies expect the recovery to continue. They also hope lower regional tensions and stable fuel prices will support stronger travel demand in the coming months.
