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BALPA welcomes UK Government advisory to avoid Iraq and Iran airspace

BALPA has welcomed the publication of a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) by the Department for Transport advising airlines not to enter Iraqi or Iranian airspace. We expect all UK airlines to follow that advice.

Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary said:

“We strongly support the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued from the UK Department for Transport earlier today that operators should avoid Iraqi and Iranian territory and airspace. We urge the Government and airlines to maintain this position until and unless there is a significant improvement in the security situation in the Middle East. The precautionary principal should be used in all decision-making in aviation, and that certainly applies here.”

“The increasing evidence that the 737 Ukrainian passenger flight PS752 may have been shot down is extremely concerning. Peaceful civil aviation should never find itself involved in armed conflict. Our thoughts are with the families of the passengers and crew who fell victim to this tragedy.”