Georgian Civil Aviation Agency urges Georgian air companies to avoid using Iraqi, Iranian airspace

The Georgian Civil Aviation Agency urges Georgian air companies to avoid using Iraqi and Iranian airspace because of the high risks related to the current tension in the region, announced the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency (GCAA) earlier today.

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommended avoiding Iraqi and Iranian airspace as the Integrated EU Aviation security Risk Assessment Group evaluated overflights in the Iraqi and Iranian airspace as a high risk.

We cannot ban Iranian airline companies from flying. We can ban our airlines from flying if it is needed. Our companies do not carry out regular flights [to Tehran] but if they use Iranian airspace, they can change the route on their own”, said the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency on January 8.

Iranian Taban Airlines and Qeshm Air carry out flights on the route Tehran-Tbilisi-Tehran. Qeshm Air offers flights six times a week, while Taban Airlines carries out flights every day. Also, Taban Airlines offers flights on the route Tehran-Batumi-Tehran twice a week. 

Major airlines have canceled or diverted flights from Iranian and Iraqi space after Iran fired ballistic missiles at US airbases in Iraq earlier today, a response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian commander, Iranian officials said.

Iran unintentionally shot down an Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 that crashed near Tehran on January 8, killing more than 170 people.