A Historic First Flight: The first-ever direct flight connecting Athens, Greece, with Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq, operated by Aegean Airlines.
This milestone underscores the growing economic, diplomatic, and cultural ties between the two regions, providing a crucial link for business, tourism, and international cooperation.
A New Bridge Between Greece and Kurdistan
The first flight landed at Erbil International Airport at 4 a.m. on Sunday, February 23, carrying 97 passengers. Shortly after, a return flight departed from Erbil to Athens with 98 passengers on board.
Speaking to Kurdistan24 at the airport, Greece’s Consul General in Erbil, Nikolaos Stergioulas, emphasized the importance of this new route. “This bridge will bring the people of Kurdistan and Greece closer together“, he stated.
Strengthening Global Connectivity
According to Ahmed Hoshyar, General Director of Erbil International Airport, the route will operate twice weekly, with plans underway to potentially increase frequency. “We are working to expand the number of flights”, Hoshyar noted, emphasizing efforts to bolster air travel options.
As the Kurdistan Region continues to expand its global presence, the direct connection with Athens – the closest European capital – marks another step forward in international engagement.
This new route is expected to boost tourism, business opportunities, and cultural exchanges between Greece and Kurdistan, further solidifying their diplomatic and economic relations.
Below the video of Kurdistan24 on Youtube: