On Friday, 14 June 2024, the first direct flight between Erbil and London departed at 2pm, carrying 125 passengers. Previously, flights from the Kurdistan Region to the United Kingdom required stops and plane changes. However, these flights will now be direct.

Ahmed Hoshyar, Director of Erbil International Airport, announced the availability of direct flights from the Kurdistan Region to the UK, highlighting the implementation of advanced digital systems by Erbil and London to efficiently detect and prevent counterfeit visas and passports.

The Kurdistan Regional Government has prioritised tourism and transportation, enabling Erbil International Airport to experience significant development and create opportunities to enhance transportation in the future.