Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) and subsidiary, Austrian Airlines (OS, Vienna), resumed scheduled services to the northern Iraqi city of Erbil on August 28. Following a review of the security situation, the German carrier said it restart its twice-weekly service from Frankfurt International while Austrian resumed a daily service from Vienna. Both carriers suspended their operations on August 8 following an escalation in the conflict with the Islamic State.
"The northern Iraqi city lies outside of the conflict zone controlled by IS. According to the most recent assessments, the security situation allows for safe flight operations to Erbil," a statement read.
The Lufthansa Group added that its Asia and Middle East-bound transit traffic will continue to avoid Iraqi airspace.
The Islamic State is currently locked in conflict with Kurdish and Iraqi army regulars battling for control of swathes of northern Iraq and neighbouring Syria.
