Cheap flights to Sulaymaniyah International airport

Discover Sulaymaniyah International

Cheap flights to Sulaymaniyah International Airport

Although located in an area that is scenic, beautiful, and culturally rich, this is an airport that you've probably never heard about. Located outside of the city of Sulaimaniyah, in Iraqi Kurdistan, this airport hosts a limited amount of traffic from nearby locations. The modern city dates from the 18th century, and the surrounding region shows signs of human habitation that date back for eons in historic sites, ancient tombs, and old streets. The green fields surrounding the city and airport are a stark contrast to the rocky mountains and hills that surround the region on all sides.

Attractions in Sulaymaniyah

The history of the area is compelling and romantic, involving royalty, intrigue, adventure, and imperial power. Relics from Babylon, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire dot the landscape and fill the Sulaimani Museum, second only to the national museum in Baghdad in cultural and historical importance. Another more district museum is Amna Suraka, or Red Intelligence Museum, which chronicles the Soviet Invasion and the brutal repression the Kurdish people suffered under Saddam Hussein.

Best time to fly to Sulaymaniyah

The temperature and climate of the region don't change more than ten degrees from season to season, ranging from as cold as 20C to 30C with little variation. Tourism to the area from neighboring Iran is quite common, especially during the New Year festivities of Nowruz in February. Other festivals of note include World Music Day, which takes place during the summer solstice in June and is celebrated with great enthusiasm as the locals consider art and culture to be essential components of their society and environment.

What to do in the Airport

The airport is divided into three terminals, one for regular passengers, another for cargo, and a third for VIPs. The city itself is a relatively open, liberal society compared to other cities in Kurdistan, and even has a Chinatown as a result of foreign diplomacy and investment. This same worldliness is reflected in the airport, which is equipped with hotels, restaurants, shopping, and all the amenities you would expect to see in a modern international airport.   

Tips and Additional Advisory

Safety and security when flying in Iraq is still a serious issue, and travelers to the region are advised to check the authorities in their home countries to stay updated on travel advisories and restrictions. Direct flights are not available from Canada, but there are connections available from Turkey, Germany, and several points throughout the Middle East.