Iran says overflights up 27%, cites Iraq insecurity

TEHRAN: The number of commercial aircraft using Iranian airspace is up by more than a quarter because of insecurity in Iraq and the region, an official was quoted as saying.
"Previously, we had an average of 495 overflights per day but this figure reached 631 in recent days, which is unprecedented," Ebrahim Shoushtari, deputy director for operations at Iran Airports Company, told Fars news agency.
In announcing the 27 percent hike in overflights, he did not say how many flights from the increased number were civilian airliners and how many were cargo transport.
"The record shows that there is good security in the country's airspace," he added, alluding to a less stable environment in Iraq where several airlines stopped flying.
The risks of overflying combat zones has come into focus following the deaths of 298 people on board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, shot down above rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine recently.
British Airways, however, said Saturday it would keep flying over Iraq as it does not believe the conflict there between government forces and jihadist group IS poses the same threat to commercial airliners as flying over Ukraine.
Other airlines to have suspended flights over Iraq include Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Delta and United, although Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways will continue to use the flight path.