The U.S. Transportation Department said Friday it is fining Air France and KLM a combined $425,000 for operating Delta-coded flights in Iraqi airspace below a Federal Aviation Administration altitude floor meant to reduce risk from ground threats, Reuters reported^1,2.

FAA rules bar U.S. operators from flying in some foreign-managed airspace where conflict or militant activity can threaten aircraft, and foreign carriers flying under a U.S. airline’s code must follow those limits; Air France and KLM both operate flights with Delta Air Lines codes¹. An FAA order in place for more than six years bars flights over Iraq below 32,000 feet¹.

USDOT said Air France operated more than 30 such flights and KLM more than 100 between early 2022 and 2025^1,2. The department said $265,000 of the $425,000 must be paid within 60 days, with the rest due if there are further violations within a year¹.

The airlines did not immediately comment publicly, Reuters said¹. In submissions to USDOT, Air France and KLM said they were committed to following the rules and that local air traffic controllers, citing conflicting traffic, directed crews to descend or would not allow them to climb¹. They argued the flights should have been treated as emergency situations because refusing an ATC instruction would have safety implications¹. Delta declined to comment¹.

Sources

1. ReutersUS fines Air France, KLM over flights in prohibited Iraqi airspaceOct 23, 12:45 PM
2. CNBCU.S. fines Air France, KLM over flights in prohibited Iraqi airspaceOct 23, 1:48 PM

Read the original at Reuters ↗