United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
BA gets go-ahead to begin flights to Iraq
British Airways has been cleared to launch twice-weekly flights to Basra in Iraq.
The new service, via Kuwait, has been approved by the US-led administration in the war-torn country, and will use Boeing 777 aircraft.
In a press release, BA said it had received confirmation from the Coalition Provisional Authority that the flights could begin, but added that no start date had been set yet.
Geoff Want, director of safety and security, said: “The security of our customers, staff and operation is absolutely paramount and we will fly to Iraq only once we are confident that it is safe for us to do so.”
Alan Burnett, BA’s regional director for the Middle East and Africa, said: “We are delighted that we have been given the go ahead to start services to Iraq. Our priority is to establish flights to Basra as soon as we can but we continue to look at the possibility of starting flights to Baghdad in the future once the airport is open.
“Air services connecting Iraq with Europe will provide a vital link during the rebuilding of Iraq and commercial flights will be the cornerstone of the economic development of the country.”
Flights were first suspended in March 1987 during the Iran-Iraq war, and resumed again 18 months later. But they were halted again in February 1990 in the lead-up to the first Gulf war.
Related News Stories:
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled