IRAQ | Aviation Sector

[sheytanElKebir]

Originally Posted by baghdad_sara

Finally some good news !

well truth be told, such "announcements" have been made many times in the past stretching back to 2003!

Lets wait and see if flights actually happen.

[baghdad_sara]

Originally Posted by sheytanElKebir

well truth be told, such "announcements" have been made many times in the past stretching back to 2003!

Lets wait and see if flights actually happen.

So i spoke to soon? ...

[BigDreamer]

yes I agree. we've heard this too many times before.

[BigDreamer]

Iraq to sell 5 passenger planes stranded in Jordan

Iraq wants to sell five decrepit Iraqi Airways planes stranded in Jordan since Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait, an official said Tuesday.

Saddam had sent the planes to Jordan to hide them when it became clear a U.S.-led coalition would attack Iraq to force it to relinquish Kuwait. Saddam feared the strikes would target Baghdad's airport.

Transportation Ministry spokesman Aqeel Hadi Kawthar said three Boeing 727-200s and two Boeing 707s are parked on the tarmac of the international airport in Amman.

"These planes are very old and we want to get rid of their parking fees in Jordan," Kawthar told The Associated Press by telephone from Baghdad.

He said repairing the five planes would "exceed the price of a new aircraft," but he declined to disclose figures.

A sixth plane, used by Saddam personally and parked in Jordan with the other planes, would not be sold, Kawthar added.

"The presidential plane is likely to be refurbished," he said, without elaborating.

Iraqi Airways also published an advertisement in Jordan's Al Rai newspaper for bids on the five planes. It said proposals should be submitted by Oct. 20.

Iraq decided to liquidate Iraqi Airways in May to avoid Kuwait's demands for more than $1 billion in war reparations. It was not clear if the Jordan sale was linked to those demands.

Iraqi officials said the company will continue to operate until it is fully liquidated, but it is not known how long. Under Iraqi law, the process of liquidating assets can take no more than three years.

[sheytanElKebir]

they've been trying to sell these planes for the last 5 years. they are so thick. they just won't accept reality even when it hits them in the face.

[elusive]

Iraq, France Agree to Open Baghdad-Paris Air Route This Month, AKnews Says

By Caroline Alexander - Oct 13, 2010 12:57 AM ET

The Iraqi and French governments have agreed to start two weekly flights between Baghdad and Paris at the end of this month, the Iraqi Kurdish news agency AKnews reported.

Opening the route with France “will strengthen tourism and economic conditions in Iraq,” Iraqi Transportation Ministry spokesman Aqil Kauthar was quoted by the news agency as saying.

[elusive]

Aigle Azur Announces Paris-Baghdad Route

Posted on 29 September 2010. Tags: Aigle Azur, airline, France

Bloomberg reports that French private airline Aigle Azur will start flights to Baghdad next month.
France’s ambassador to Iraq, Boris Boillion, said “Aigle Azur will start flights between Paris and Baghdad in October”.
Aigle Azur, the oldest private airline in France, flies about 1.6 million passengers to about 30 destinations mostly around the Mediterranean and in Africa, its website said.

(Source: Bloomberg)

[elusive]

Omani-Iraqi Aviation Regularizing Negotiations is Concluded

The two-day talks on the regularization of the aviation services between the Sultanate and Iraq concluded in the premises of the Civil Aviation Affairs in Muscat International Airport today.

During the negotiations, the aviation transportation organizational and operational issues were discussed to cope with the latest developments and innovations in this field, as well as, encouraging the national carrier to operate and extend their network between the two countries.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the civil aviation authorities in the two countries, which was signed from the Omani side by Abdul-Razaq bin Said bin Saleh al-Manthri, Director General of Aviation in the Civil Aviation Affairs in the Ministry of Transport and Communications whilst it was signed from the Iraqi side by Ali Khalil Ibrahim, Director of the Aviation Supervision in the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority.

The Memorandum of Understanding included the right of the Omani national carrier (Oman Air) to operate 29 flights weekly to Iraq, 14 flights to Baghdad and 3 flights to Erbil, Al-Sulaymaniyah, Mosul, Najaf and Basra whilst the Iraqi national airline (Iraq Airways) will operate a similar number of flights to Muscat and Salalah airports.

The National Airlines were chosen by the two sides as Oman Air was assigned by the Sultanate's side while Iraq Airways was chosen by the Iraqi side in order to exploit the available rights of transportation of each side.

It is worth mentioning that Iraq has signed an agreement for organizing the aviation services in Muscat in February 25th 1985 and another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the civil aviation authorities in the two countries in Baghdad in December 30th 2001.

A number of officials and specialilsts in the Civil Aviation field from the civil aviation authorities in the two countries, airline carriers of each side and a number of Iraqi diplomats took part in the talks.

[BigDreamer]

that's great news ! I read about the Aigle Azur one a while back.. good to hear they're serious about it.

[elusive]

Originally Posted by BigDreamer

that's great news ! I read about the Aigle Azur one a while back.. good to hear they're serious about it.

yes it is, i think the other post is referring to air france

[BigDreamer]

oh is it talking about Air France! I assumed they were referring to Aigle Azur.. Because I read a while ago that AF decided not to fly to Erbil. Maybe they changed their mind..

I like your new profile avatar btw

[elusive]

Originally Posted by BigDreamer

oh is it talking about Air France! I assumed they were referring to Aigle Azur.. Because I read a while ago that AF decided not to fly to Erbil. Maybe they changed their mind..

I like your new profile avatar btw

they canceled arrangements back in april but im assuming they went through more negotiations...haha thanks, its very baghdadi

[wasta]

we need London-baghdad, a lot of Iraqis live here

[sheytanElKebir]

http://biomedme.com/general/india-ir...hts_15710.html

India, Iraq talks may lead to expanded pact on flights

Written By: Nadia on October 11, 2010 0
India and Iraq are likely to expand cooperation in aviation after a gap of 27 years, allowing their domestic carriers to fly more frequently to tap trade, reconstruction, religious and medical tourism opportunities.

A bilateral air services agreement was first signed in 1955 and endorsed again in 1983. Since then, no talks have taken place on expanding the scope of the agreement.

The agreement only allows two flights a week between the two countries, said a government official who did not want to be named.

The Iraqi government has asked India to expand the scope of this agreement. With the foreign ministry giving its approval, talks are likely to start later this month between the aviation ministry and a delegation from Iraq.

“Depending on talks, it will be decided whether this can be expanded to daily flights for airlines or more or less,” the official said.

There are no direct flights between India and Iraq, after national carrier Air India scrapped its flight to Iraq’s capital Baghdad at the time of the 1991 Gulf War.

This year, Jet Airways (India) Ltd has started chartered flights to West Asia, including a link to the Iraqi city of Karbala, a Shia religious centre.

Security concerns have hampered bilateral cooperation since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. Indian truck drivers transporting supplies for American troops have been abducted for ransom by Iraqi militias.

In one instance, at least three kidnapped Indian truck drivers remained in captivity for two months in 2004.

The issue was resolved after India’s then junior foreign minister E. Ahamed flew to Baghdad for negotiations with the local authorities.

But things have improved gradually, said a second government official aware of the development, who also asked not to be named.

“Iraq is a friendly country, it has supported us on a number of issues many times. Iraq is trying to re-emerge towards normalcy. The request (for a relook at the air services agreement) came from the Iraq side. An air services agreement exists, this is the revival of the agreement that we are looking at. India would like to play an important role in this—trade, commerce, reconstruction,” the second official said.

[sheytanElKebir]

http://biomedme.com/general/india-ir...hts_15710.html

India, Iraq talks may lead to expanded pact on flights

Written By: Nadia on October 11, 2010 0
India and Iraq are likely to expand cooperation in aviation after a gap of 27 years, allowing their domestic carriers to fly more frequently to tap trade, reconstruction, religious and medical tourism opportunities.

A bilateral air services agreement was first signed in 1955 and endorsed again in 1983. Since then, no talks have taken place on expanding the scope of the agreement.

The agreement only allows two flights a week between the two countries, said a government official who did not want to be named.

The Iraqi government has asked India to expand the scope of this agreement. With the foreign ministry giving its approval, talks are likely to start later this month between the aviation ministry and a delegation from Iraq.

“Depending on talks, it will be decided whether this can be expanded to daily flights for airlines or more or less,” the official said.

There are no direct flights between India and Iraq, after national carrier Air India scrapped its flight to Iraq’s capital Baghdad at the time of the 1991 Gulf War.

This year, Jet Airways (India) Ltd has started chartered flights to West Asia, including a link to the Iraqi city of Karbala, a Shia religious centre.

Security concerns have hampered bilateral cooperation since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. Indian truck drivers transporting supplies for American troops have been abducted for ransom by Iraqi militias.

In one instance, at least three kidnapped Indian truck drivers remained in captivity for two months in 2004.

The issue was resolved after India’s then junior foreign minister E. Ahamed flew to Baghdad for negotiations with the local authorities.

But things have improved gradually, said a second government official aware of the development, who also asked not to be named.

“Iraq is a friendly country, it has supported us on a number of issues many times. Iraq is trying to re-emerge towards normalcy. The request (for a relook at the air services agreement) came from the Iraq side. An air services agreement exists, this is the revival of the agreement that we are looking at. India would like to play an important role in this—trade, commerce, reconstruction,” the second official said.

[baghdad_sara]

Originally Posted by wasta

we need London-baghdad, a lot of Iraqis live here

I know this needs to be done ASAP!! It would save us so much hassle rather than taking de-tours through either Kuwait or Turkey.

[BigDreamer]

IMO Iraq needs a direct route with East Asia, if not China, HK, KL or Singapore. But they seem to be focusing only at the neighboring region and Europe. I believe it's a mistake to delay connections to east asia. China, Japan and Korea will have a major impact on Iraq's economic rise.

[elusive]

do many iraqis in london travel to iraq?

[baghdad_sara]

Originally Posted by elusive

do many iraqis in london travel to iraq?

Plenty, much of my family have as well as family friends. Things must have improved since they last visited because they often do not want to return to London and would rather stay in Iraq, bearing in mind this is the older generation who tend to adopt this view.

[elusive]

Originally Posted by baghdad_sara

Plenty, much of my family have as well as family friends. Things must have improved since they last visited because they often do not want to return to London and would rather stay in Iraq, bearing in mind this is the older generation who tend to adopt this view.

that's good to hear, yeah i know what you mean...one of my grandparents is the same...
a direct route would be ideal then