Iraqi Airways is on a upwards trajectory having ordered modern narrow- and wide-body aircraft as it seeks to assert itself within the fast-growing Middle East.
The national flag carrier of Iraq operates an active fleet of 26 aircraft and has a further 18 aircraft on order, all of which are to be delivered by the end of 2028.
These include Boeing 787 Dreamliners, MAX-8s and Airbus A220s.
Speaking to FINN, Alton’s managing director, Raffi Kasparian, said network and capacity growth in Iraq was expected to be driven by the national flag carrier.
“On top of the current capacity and expected deliveries for Iraqi Airways, it is important to note that there are 15 aircraft (nine Boeing 737s) in storage from the airline which have an average age of 9.6 years,” he said.
Kasparian said Iraqi Airways’ recent strategy could be summarised into three key approaches: “1. Developing / strengthening routes for the new widebody fleet; 2. Delivering on domestic and religious travel demand and 3. Circumventing / lifting the EU ban.”
The Iraqi Airways orders for 30 Boeing 737-800s in 2008, and a further 10 Boeing 787-8s in 2009 have begun to materialise, especially for the 10 widebody aircraft ordered.
The airline has taken delivery of two 787-8s recently (June and September 2023) and has announced that the widebodies would enable service to four new destinations: Oman, Indonesia, Malaysia, and China.
In October 2023, the airline resumed Baghdad to Guangzhou service, which indicates it intends to develop the listed destinations with the new widebody aircraft, Kasparian said.
Iraqi Airways orders
“We are proud to be taking delivery of an airplane with the capabilities of the 787 Dreamliner. As domestic and international air traffic gains momentum, it’s crucial that our Iraqi Airways fleet matches growing demand with more efficient, capable and comfortable airplanes,” said Manaf Abdel-Monem, director general of Iraqi Airways in June as the airline celebrated the delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
“The 787 and 737 MAX airplanes we have received are key to our fleet renewal programme which aims to ensure we can fly our passengers around the world in the safety and comfort they expect from a modern and efficient airline like Iraqi Airways.”
The EU airspace ban has been an issue that Iraqi Airways has been trying to address in the past few years, added Kasparian.
Recent efforts include discussions between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Czech Republic; Iraq CAA discussions with EU representatives in July 2023; and finally, ACMI RFP release in 2019 to European carriers to wet lease aircraft to enable service to European destinations.
“These actions show the strategic importance of reviving European destinations within the airline’s network,” he said.
“Re-establishing connections to Europe will strongly depend on current discussions to lift the ban, or the airline’s ability to source wet leased aircraft from European AOC holding carriers.”
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