Erbil International Airport and Jalal Talabani International Airport remained fully operational on Saturday despite heightened regional security tensions and overnight missile attacks, with airport authorities confirming that the Kurdistan Region's airspace remains open and civilian flight operations continue under normal procedures.

The reassurance comes after several international airlines suspended selected flights in response to the evolving security situation across the region, prompting concerns among travelers about possible disruptions.

Airport officials stressed that the operational status of both airports has not changed, emphasizing that flight cancellations announced by certain airlines are commercial decisions made by individual carriers rather than the result of airport closures or government-imposed airspace restrictions.

Ahmed Hoshyar, Director of Erbil International Airport, told Kurdistan24 that scheduled flights continue to operate normally and that the airport remains fully functional.

Responding to reports of reduced overnight air traffic, Hoshyar explained that the temporary lull reflected the airport's existing flight schedule rather than any security-related suspension.

"There were simply no scheduled flights during that three-hour period," he said, adding that arrivals and departures resumed as planned once the scheduled operations began.

Authorities at Jalal Talabani International Airport in Sulaimani issued a similar statement, confirming that airport services remain unaffected despite cancellations by several airlines.

Officials noted that while some carriers have adjusted their flight schedules based on their own operational assessments of the regional security environment, airport operations continue without interruption.

According to current schedules, Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet, and Royal Jordanian have cancelled selected flights to and from Erbil and Sulaimani. Airport authorities emphasized that these decisions were taken independently by the airlines and do not reflect any closure of airport facilities or restrictions on the Kurdistan Region's airspace.

The latest statements reinforce the position maintained by airport authorities throughout recent security incidents.

Following the interception of drones over Erbil earlier this week, Hoshyar assured travelers that the city's airspace remained open and that flights continued to depart and arrive according to schedule, describing the airspace as safe for civilian aviation.

Saturday's update reflects the same approach, with officials emphasizing operational continuity, close monitoring of regional developments, and transparent communication with passengers.

Maintaining uninterrupted airport operations is considered essential during periods of regional instability, helping preserve passenger confidence, support business and humanitarian travel, sustain commercial activity, and ensure reliable transport links.

Airport officials reiterated that both Erbil International Airport and Jalal Talabani International Airport remain open, the Kurdistan Region's airspace continues to accommodate civilian aircraft, and aviation services are proceeding under normal operating procedures.