Iraqi Airways has resumed scheduled services from Baghdad to two Middle East capitals after a test flight by the dormant carrier in August. The state-controlled airline relaunched on 18 September, operating a daily round-trip to Amman in Jordan, under flight numbers IA163 and IA164.
It is supplementing this operation with services to the Syrian capital Damascus. The airline intends to fly this route daily as well.
"We have strong ambitions to operate to European cities," says the airline's Jordanian regional office, but it adds that the carrier will concentrate on intra-Gulf routes at present. Dubai is a possible future destination. Iraqi Airways is using a Boeing 737-200 on its current route network.
"We had a couple of passengers," says the airline's Jordanian office. "It was not many because we didn't advertise and it became too late to promote the route."
The airline says it expects passenger loads to increase in the coming weeks as the service becomes more established, and the carrier adds that it is unconcerned about operating into Baghdad International airport, pointing out that Royal Jordanian Airlines and other operators now use it.
"We are facing the same risk as any other carrier," the airline says.
DAVID KAMINSKI-MORROW / LONDON
Source: Flight International
