Air France controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
U.S. fines Air France and KLM over flights in prohibited Iraqi airspace
Fine or penalty
The U.S. Transportation Department said it was fining Air France and KLM a total of $425,000 for flights below the required minimum altitude in FAA-prohibited Iraqi airspace. The airlines said air traffic controllers had instructed crews to descend or refused to allow them to ascend, and argued the flights should qualify for the emergency-situations exemption.
Stated objective. The minimum altitude was intended to protect flights from threats from the ground.
Company response
Clarification — Air France
Air France and KLM told USDOT they were fully committed to adhering to regulatory requirements at all times and took the issue extremely seriously.
Clarification — KLM
Both said they believe the flights should have fallen under the "emergency situations" exemption given the safety implications of refusing an air traffic control order.
Source excerpt
Both said they believe the flights should have fallen under the "emergency situations" exemption given the safety implications of refusing an air traffic control order.
The U.S. Transportation Department said Friday it was fining Air France and KLM a total of $425,000 for operating dozens of flights in Iraqi airspace below a minimum altitude intended to protect them from threats from the ground.
Both carriers were ordered to cease and desist from future violations.