EgyptAir cancels flights to Baghdad, Erbil amid regional unrest

NEWSROOM — EgyptAir has canceled all flights to Baghdad and Erbil scheduled for today, citing safety concerns amid escalating regional tensions. The airline announced that the route suspensions will remain in effect until further notice, impacting travel to Iraq’s capital and the Kurdistan Region’s largest city.

In addition, EgyptAir canceled flight MS719 to Amman, Jordan, which was also set to depart today. In a statement, the airline advised affected passengers to check their bookings and make necessary arrangements, emphasizing, “We kindly request our esteemed customers to check their bookings and make the necessary arrangements.”

The decision comes on the heels of Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian military targets early Saturday, targeting missile production facilities, missile arrays, and bases across Iran, including in Tehran. Israel stated the strikes were a response to an Iranian missile attack on October 1, with Iranian officials confirming “limited damage” but warning of potential retaliation. Israel cautioned that Iran would “pay a heavy price” for any countermeasures.

In light of these airstrikes, Iraq temporarily closed its airspace Saturday morning, reopening it shortly afterward. Qatar Airways and other major airlines had already suspended flights to Iraq as a precaution earlier in the week.