Malaysian aftershock

With airlines around the world considering their approach to routes over areas of conflict Emirates says that it will avoid Iraqi airspace, as the government in Baghdad struggles to contain Islamic insurgents who have captured vast areas of the country.

"Emirates is taking precautionary measures and is currently working on alternative routing plans for flights using Iraqi airspace," the Gulf airline said in a statement.

"We are closely monitoring the situation along with international agencies."

Presently, Iraq falls under the flight path from Asia to Europe, raising security fears for airlines for an attack similar to the one on MH17 in Ukraine.

The situation over the area controlled by the renegade ISIS autocracy (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is causing concerns for all airlines flying from Europe to the UAE and Qatar.  It is not known if the insurgents possess the sophisticated rockets required to attack aircraft higher than 30,000ft, nor the means to deploy them.  Its ruthless approach to the land war could be replicated in the air.

Emirates have suspended all its flights to Kiev and none of its aircraft fly over Ukraine airspace.  www.malaysiaairlines.com   www.emirates.com

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