Fly Erbil has suffered a major financial loss after one of its aircraft became stranded in Ukraine due to the ongoing war. The company confirmed that the aircraft, valued at approximately $6 million, has remained stuck for more than four years without use.
The situation dates back to February 2022, when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated into a full-scale war. As a result, all air traffic in Ukraine stopped immediately. Airports shut down, and many aircraft were unable to leave the country.
During that time, a Fly Erbil plane had completed a flight to Kyiv and landed at Zhulyany Airport. However, due to the sudden closure of airspace, the aircraft could not return to the Kurdistan Region. Since then, it has remained grounded at the airport.
According to the company’s management, they initially hoped the conflict would end quickly. When it became clear that the war would continue, the airline evacuated its crew to Europe and later back to Erbil. However, the aircraft itself remained behind.
Over the past four years, no flights have operated from that airport, and the aircraft has not received any maintenance. As a result, its condition has significantly deteriorated. Experts say that without regular servicing, aircraft can become unusable and may turn into scrap over time.
The stranded plane is a Boeing 737 with a capacity of 158 passengers. It was part of Fly Erbil’s fleet, which the airline launched in 2018 to connect the region with several international destinations, including European cities.
Overall, this incident highlights the severe impact of geopolitical conflicts on the aviation sector. It also shows how unexpected crises can lead to major financial losses for regional airlines like Fly Erbil.
