Air France and KLM fined over restricted Iraqi airspace

The U.S. Department of Transportation has imposed a combined $425,000 fine on Air France and KLM for operating dozens of flights below the minimum permitted altitude in Iraqi airspace, where restrictions were in place due to ground-based threats.

In its statement, the U.S. Department of Transportation said it has issued fines against Société Air France ($105,000) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines ($320,000) for operating flights under Delta Air Lines’ designator code in airspace restricted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

It further stated that the FAA prohibits U.S. operators from flying in foreign-managed airspace where conflict, militant activity or heightened tensions pose a safety risk to civil aviation. Foreign airlines operating flights under a U.S. airline’s code must also comply with these restrictions.

“Under the Trump Administration, if you fly carrying a U.S. code, following our safety rules is not optional,” said Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary. “We will not hesitate to hold accountable any airline for failing to comply with agency regulations. Passenger safety comes first, no exceptions.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation also ordered both airlines to cease and desist from future violations.

Investigations by the Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) found that Air France operated more than 30 flights under Delta Air Lines’ code through FAA-prohibited airspace in the Baghdad Flight Information Region between April 2022 and November 2025.

KLM operated more than 100 flights under Delta Air Lines’ code through the same restricted airspace between January 2022 and May 2025.

Air France said it had planned to operate these flights above FL320, but due to conflicting traffic, local air traffic controllers instructed its flight crews to descend or did not allow them to climb. The airline stated that its crews followed air traffic control instructions at all times, as legally required, and climbed to FL320 or above as soon as clearance was granted. It added that passengers and crew were not adversely affected.

KLM also attributed the incidents to instructions from local air traffic controllers.