QR Overfly Iraq
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: UAE
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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?
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.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Criss crossing the Arabian Sea
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, we at EK don't overfly Iraq but we are quite happy to fly INTO Baghdad, Erbil and Basrah. Go figure. Personally I'd rather overfly than land there.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: UAE
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you, 320goat & RoyalEnfiled, for your replies. I just found this newspaper article from August 2014 trumpeting QR's avoidance of overflying Iraq:
Qatar Airways joins other int'l carriers in avoiding Iraqi airspace - Doha News
Forgive my bluntness, but what has changed? Every other airline appears to still be actively avoiding Iraqi airspace!
Qatar Airways joins other int'l carriers in avoiding Iraqi airspace - Doha News
Forgive my bluntness, but what has changed? Every other airline appears to still be actively avoiding Iraqi airspace!
short flights long nights
How high do SAMS go?
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mars
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SOPS:
It depends on the SAM, Manpads typically 10k, SA-6 up to about 30k but that is an effective range, the rocket will fly higher than that and might get lucky, a Tornado was shot down by a ballistic (no guidance) SA2 in GW1.
I am not sure which rockets the crazies got when they over ran the Iraqis early on.
It depends on the SAM, Manpads typically 10k, SA-6 up to about 30k but that is an effective range, the rocket will fly higher than that and might get lucky, a Tornado was shot down by a ballistic (no guidance) SA2 in GW1.
I am not sure which rockets the crazies got when they over ran the Iraqis early on.
short flights long nights
Thanks Schnowzer. I had a feeling Fl 320 seemed a bit arbitrary.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Sidney, BC, Canada
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The "Friendly" Sky
Qatar has elected to allow operations over Iraq for all freighters and flights to specific European destinations (other destinations still avoid Iraq overflight). Minimum altitude FL320.
Crimea still restricted.
Crimea still restricted.
short flights long nights
Operations over Iraq for all freighters? So the crew is expandable? Lovely.
