Baghdad to fulfill IATA, ICAO requirements

The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, gave directions on Sunday related to lifting the ban imposed on Iraqi Airways.

Al-Sudani’s remarks took place during a meeting he chaired to review the European embargo placed on Iraqi Airways, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The Iraqi Prime Minister reviewed the measures taken by the committee tasked with ending the ban imposed on Iraq’s national carrier.

The meeting addressed the continuing efforts to develop the capabilities of the employees and facilities of Iraqi Airways to improve the services provided to travelers.

Al-Sudani highlighted the need to meet the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as quickly as possible, confirming that lifting the ban imposed on Iraqi Airways is one of the priorities on the government’s agenda.

The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) confirmed last July that committing to international standards will help lift the ban imposed by the European Union (EU) on Iraqi Airways, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

The president of the authority, Imad Al-Asadi, met in July with a delegation from the EU at Baghdad International Airport, where both sides discussed work mechanisms and possible coordination to develop the civil aviation sector in Iraq.

The ICAA President indicated at that time the authority’s commitment to international standards and that its continuous communication with EU officials will contribute to lifting the European ban imposed on Iraqi Airways.

Iraq’s national carrier was banned from flying to Europe in 2015 because it did not meet the ICAO’s safety standards.