After a gap of 20 years, Iraq to resume Baghdad-Paris flights

Iraqi Airways, the national airline of Iraq, is planning to resume direct flights between Baghdad and Paris after a gap of 20 years.

The government of Iraq said in a statement that the state-owned Iraqi Airways will sign an agreement with the authorities in France in the middle of November 2009, aimed at resuming weekly flights between Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, and Paris.

The move to recommence the Baghdad-Paris air service has been prompted by a decline in the level of violence in Iraq as well as an increase in investor interest, according to the Iraqi Cabinet.

Over the last one and a half years, more airlines have been coming forward to launch flights into Iraq, following a drop in violence there. However, air travel to Iraq still remains risky and a matter of concern, with bombings and other forms of violent attacks being frequent in that country.

Slowly but steadily, the number of flights from Baghdad to other destinations in the Middle East has increased in the recent years.

Many carriers are beginning to operate direct services between Iraq and destinations in Europe.

Iraqi Airways itself recently launched direct flights to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.

According to an official of Iraqi Airways, the airline is looking at starting direct flights to Germany as its next European destination.

After having gone through years of strife, violence and chaos, Iraq is making strong efforts to bring back its air transport on track.

Iraqi Airways – one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East – operates domestic as well as regional service from its main base at Baghdad International Airport. It is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization.