QR Overfly Iraq
I have been used to some circuitous detours between Europe and the Gulf following the MH17 tragedy and the public declaration by airlines to avoid overflight of Iraq and Syria (presumably due to a perceived threat of surface to air missiles from ISIS militants).
However, I was checking on the progress of a flight on FlightRadar24 yesterday and was surprised to see the following QR flights overflying Iraq (not just skirting the border, but flying between Basra and Baghdad) at 0757 UTC:
QR103 to Geneva
QR183 to Vienna
QR239 to Istanbul
Every other airline flying between the Gulf and Europe appears to be actively avoiding Iraq. The only other flights visible on FlightRadar24 in Iraqi airspace either originate or terminate in Iraq (so have no choice but to fly in Iraqi airspace).
I am curious why QR are happily overflying Iraq while other airlines appear to be avoiding it. Does anyone have any insight?
Last edited by Work Shy; 9th Jan 2015 at 09:56.