Kurdish Airports Face Fuel Shortages

Erbil airport has not received any fuel since last week. The airport's spokesman (whose name was not mentioned) said that al-Doora refinery (which supplies fuel to many parts of Iraq) is undergoing maintenance and that the price of fuel is expected to increase. The media officer also said that the airport has run out of fuel but flights will continue. "We have informed planes that intend to fly to Erbil airport that they need to have enough fuel," he said. Oil ministry deputy minister Mo'tasam Akram said they have alerted the airports and confirmed that fuel will be sent in the next few days. The deputy minister said, "The price of fuel will increase from 40 US cents to 50 cents (per litre) beginning July 15." He noted that the price is 85 cents in other countries.