Air Canada fined $250,000 by U.S. for flying over Iraqi airspace

Involved a 'significant number of flights' between the United Arab Emirates and Canada

The U.S. Department of Transportation slapped Air Canada with a US$250,000 fine for operating flights in prohibited airspace over Iraq.

The airline flew planes carrying the designator code of U.S. carrier United Airlines Holdings Inc. over areas of the country that are banned for U.S. operators, according to the department. The “significant number of flights” between the United Arab Emirates and Canada took place between October 2022 and January 2023, DOT said in a statement on Friday.

A representative for Air Canada didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. United declined to comment.

The airline told the U.S. government that it took immediate action after receiving notice from DOT about the possible violations. It also reminded crews of the requirement to avoid the prohibited airspace and began an investigation into why some flights deviated from the carrier’s policies, among other actions, according to a consent order between the department and the carrier.

—With assistance from Mathieu Dion.

Bloomberg.com