Shots fired at flydubai flight in Baghdad; carrier says damage to aircraft appears to be non-intentional

Baghdad, 28 January 2015 (WAM): A Flydubai aircraft on Monday came under gunfire just as it landed at Baghdad International Airport, prompting the Dubai-based airline to cancel its flights to Baghdad until 28 February 2015. flydubai said that the damage sustained by the aircraft, at this early stage "appears to be non-intentional." In an emailed statement, a flydubai spokesperson said, "Preliminary information indicates that the damage sustained is consistent with small arms fire and at this early stage appears to be non-intentional." The spokesperson said, "After landing at Baghdad International Airport (BGW) on 26 January 2015, damage to the aircraft fuselage consistent with small arms fire was discovered on flydubai flight FZ 215." "All the passengers disembarked normally through the jet bridge. No medical attention was required at the airport. Passengers from Baghdad to Dubai were accommodated on a replacement aircraft. An investigation is underway to establish what happened." The flydubai spokesperson added, "As part of the ongoing investigation, flydubai is working with the authorities to understand the circumstances that led to the damage of its aircraft. Preliminary information indicates that the damage sustained is consistent with small arms fire and at this early stage appears to be non-intentional." The spokesperson said ,"We published on our website that following the guidance issued by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority flydubai has cancelled its flights to Baghdad until 28 February 2015. We will continue to work closely with the authorities." flydubai's spokesperson said that passengers who have purchased tickets for travel to Baghdad with flydubai can re-book to another point in Iraq or will be offered a refund. Please call our Contact Centre on: +971 600 544 445. We apologise for any inconvenience caused." – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395275692877.html