Emirates to resume passenger flights to Baghdad

Baghdad has been part of Emirates’ route network since 2011. Phil Weymouth / Bloomberg

Emirates Airline will resume passenger flights to Baghdad on September 17 after suspending operations in January.

The Dubai carrier will operate with four weekly flights to Baghdad, served by an A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration.

“After conducting an exhaustive safety and security review, we have decided to restart services between Dubai and Baghdad. Commercial air transport has been one of the cornerstones of economic development for Iraq and we want to continue to support the development of economic opportunities in Baghdad by increasing access to international markets and inward investment,” said Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, the divisional senior vice president commercial operations, for the airline.

The General Civil Aviation Authority in January banned all flights to Baghdad after a flydubai passenger aircraft was subjected to small-arms fire as it landed in the Iraqi capital.

Etihad Airways, flydubai and Emirates also suspended flights to Erbil in March citing security concerns. Emirates and flydubai have since then restarted their schedules.

Baghdad has been part of Emirates’ route network since 2011. The airline operates four weekly services to Erbil and a double daily service to Basra.

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