Iraqi Airways to begin direct Baghdad-Washington flights next year

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq’s national flag carrier will begin its first direct flights from Baghdad to Washington next year, Iraqi Airways’ Director General  Osama Sadr told reporters on Wednesday.

“The preparation has been done after several meetings were held with the administrative bodies of the airports that Iraq is planning to travel to,” Sadr said, announcing that flights also would be starting to Belarus and Tunisia.

Sadr said the airline is trying to connect Iraq to most countries around the world, and the airline is busy negotiating with airports where it wants to land.

Baqr Jabr Zubaidi, from Iraq’s Ministry of Transportation, said Iraq would soon be receiving new commercial aircraft.

“There should be more attention given to airlines and the newest planes need to provided,” he said. “By the end of this month, some 32 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft will be provided to Iraqi airline companies,” Zubaidi added.