QATAR Airways, which flies to Doha from Edinburgh, is temporarily suspending flights over war-torn Iraqi.

The airline flies five days a week direct from Scotland to the Middle Eastern Qatar city, but has joined British Airways in ceasing flights after the US has launched an air strike against militants from the Islamic State (IS) group in northern Iraq.

The US Federal Aviation Administration yesterday issued a notice restricting its air operators from flying above Iraq. Virgin Atlantic Airways had already stopped flying over the country, while other airlines which are bypassing the troubled Middle East country include Air France and Dubai-based Emirates. BA had been continuing to use Iraqi airspace in recent days while reviewing its position daily.