US Imposes Fines on Air Canada for Flights Over Restricted Iraqi Airspace, Reports Reuters

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Friday that it has imposed a fine of $250,000 on Air Canada for operating flights in 2022 and 2023 over restricted Iraqi airspace.

The agency asserted jurisdiction over the flights because they were designated under United Airlines’ code. These infractions occurred on multiple flights between the United Arab Emirates and Toronto, in airspace that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has barred for U.S. operators due to the "complex security environment" in the region.

Of the total fine, Air Canada is required to pay $125,000 immediately, while the remaining $125,000 will be imposed if the airline commits further violations within a year. The airline ceased its codeshare agreement with United on this route in January 2023.

Air Canada explained that the incidents were unintentional, brief, and the result of various factors, such as air traffic control restrictions and the transition to a larger aircraft that required additional time to reach a safe altitude. The airline emphasized that safety was not compromised during these events and stated that measures have been taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

In a related incident, Emirates was fined $1.5 million by the Transportation Department in June for operating flights bearing JetBlue Airways’ designation over Iraqi airspace, marking the second fine the airline received since 2020.