Baghdad flights disrupted after bullet hits FlyDubai airliner

A bullet hit the fuselage of a FlyDubai airliner on its descent into Baghdad, prompting a suspension of flights by UAE carriers to the Iraqi capital on Tuesday.

Flight FZ215 was hit by “small arms fire” before landing on Monday but all passengers disembarked safely, a FlyDubai spokesperson told AFP.

The no-frills carrier, a sister firm of Emirates, said it was working with Iraqi authorities to investigate the incident, adding that it will continue to fly to its other destinations in Iraq.

Other UAE airlines, including Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia, suspended their flights to Baghdad.

“Emirates has suspended its services to Baghdad until further notice due to operational reasons,” the Dubai-based airline said.

The Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said it had “suspended all flights to the Iraqi city with immediate effect and until further notice.”