the 2017 Kurdistan Region independence referendum, all commercial international flights were suspended. The airport remained open for domestic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic flights. Drone attacks The airport has been the target of numerous drone strikes by Iran-backed Shi'ite militias in 2021. On 15 April, a drone carrying explosives targeted the military section of the airport. The section housed US-led forces, and no casualties were reported. On 6 July, another drone targeted the same section of the airport and crashed near the airport. On 11 September, two drones carrying explosives failed to reach the airport; one was shot down by C-RAM air defense and the other one crashed. There were no casualties. Airlines and destinations Passenger These are the airlines and destinations served from Erbil Airport: Cargo Statistics Since its opening in 2006, the airport has seen increased traffic. Traffic was up 22% in 2010 and in 2011 demand was up 37% to just over 620,000 passengers. In the first four months of 2012 passenger numbers are up 52% with April setting a new record of 84,275 departing and arriving passengers. Incidents On July 6, 2021, a series of attacks against the airport were reported, including drone and rocket attacks. References External links Official website Airports in Iraq Airport Ankawa Airports in Kurdistan Region (Iraq) 2005 establishments in Iraq Airports established in 2005 2005 establishments in Iraqi Kurdistan