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US fines Air Canada over flights over restricted Iraqi airspace

The U.S. Department of Transport said Friday it had actually fined Air Canada $ 250,000 for operating flights in 2022 and 2023 in forbidden Iraqi airspace.

The agency had jurisdiction due to the fact that those flights had Unified Airline companies' designator code. The violations took place on many flights in between the United Arab Emirates and Toronto in airspace that was forbidden by the Federal Aviation Administration to U.S. operators.

The FAA mentioned the intricate security environment that exists over Iraq in barring flights. Air Canada should pay $125,000 of the fine and owes another $125,000 if it breaks the order again within a year. Air Canada stopped codesharing with United on the path in January 2023.

Air Canada stated the occurrences were quick, unintended and unintended and due to a number of elements, including air traffic control restrictions and a switch to a larger airplane that required more time to achieve adequate elevation. Also, safety was not jeopardized. The provider added it has acted to prevent such occurrences from reoccurring.

Emirates was fined $1.5 million by the Transportation Department in June for operating flights bring JetBlue Airways' code over Iraqi airspace. It was the 2nd time they had been fined considering that 2020.

(source: Reuters)