I was just sent the following, as part of a big promotion, from IKB Travel that will exclusively handle Iraqi's sales in the UK:

"We are very proud to announce that this will allow flights to Baghdad and Sulaimaniya to be completed in just under 5.30hr hours from London! The first in 23 years!

The first flight will be at 10pm on 5th March 2013 and will be departing from London Gatwick heading to Baghdad International Airport.

Iraqi Airways will use a brand new Airbus A330 to operate two direct flights to Baghdad and one to Sulaimaniya every week. The frequency will increase in the coming months. All return flights to the UK will stop in Malmo, Sweden, for a period of 1hr before proceeding to the UK."

Per Iraqi Airways*:

"The routes have already been granted permission by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

This signifies the first direct flight service between Iraq and the United Kingdom since August 1990 after an attempt to run in 2010 was thwarted due to a $1.2 Billion lawsuit by Kuwait Airways.

Two direct flights to Baghdad and one to Sulaimaniya every week. The frequency will increase to 6 flights a week by 15th June 2013. "

* http://www.iraqiairways.co.uk/en/new...ays_resumes_flights_to_London.html

Per Iraqi Airways' homepage:

BGW-LGW: Tue, Thu - 1300-2000
ISU-LGW: Fri - 1300-2000

LGW-BGW: Tue, Thu - 2200-0630
LGW-ISU: Fri: 2200-0630

[Edited 2013-02-15 04:39:51]

Why the stop in Malmo??

Quoting migair54 (Reply 1): Why the stop in Malmo??

Those born in Iraq or are descents of Iraqis are one of the largest ethnic groups in Sweden - at over 175,000. And presumably a number live within the Malmo area, in addition to the 30,000 in nearby Denmark, the majority of which seem to reside in Zealand. Presumably the stop enables the existence of the routes without which they might not have been viable, in addition to marginally higher frequencies than if relying solely on Malmo or London (and reasonable distances from both). But, those are just guesses in this instance.

I am sure some airlines will not be happy with this news, especially Turkish Airlines.

Surprised they're not using their new 777 for this service.

Quoting Bthebest (Reply 4): Surprised they're not using their new 777 for this service.

Why waste a 77LR on a short route like this?? The airbus makes more sense on this route.

KH

Quoting Pe@rson (Reply 2): Those born in Iraq or are descents of Iraqis are one of the largest ethnic groups in Sweden - at over 175,000. And presumably a number live within the Malmo area, in addition to the 30,000 in nearby Denmark, the majority of which seem to reside in Zealand. Presumably the stop enables the existence of the routes without which they might not have been viable, in addition to marginally higher frequencies than if relying solely on Malmo or London (and reasonable distances from both). But, those are just guesses in this instance.

Thank you for the info, that makes sense, however that traffic will be mainly VFR so not really high yielding, but they need to fill up the plane... maybe when they increase the freqs we can see some of the flights going directly to LGW without stoping in Malmo.

Where is the A330 coming from?? If they have some B777 I don´t understand why bringing now some A330 unless they are going to use them on wet lease until they get some more B777.

Quoting MCOflyer (Reply 5): Why waste a 77LR on a short route like this?? The airbus makes more sense on this route.

It makes more sense but why getting another type of plane doesn´t make that sense, the real question is, do they really need a B77LR?? I think the A330 is an excellent plane for them but if they go for B777 they should be operating B777 for all the long haul routes if possible and available. I think even getting some non-ER can be good for them to fly to places like London and Malmo.

Quoting migair54 (Reply 6): that traffic will be mainly VFR so not really high yielding, but they need to fill up the plane

Yes, absolutely, hence the need to offset lower yields (i.e., lower revenue per passenger per mile) with greater traffic volume. And like to/from Malmo, I suspect the traffic that Iraqi Airways will capture from London will also be mainly VFR. Of course, we can guess otherwise, but sadly we don't have data to counteract it.

[Edited 2013-02-15 08:04:30]

Quoting migair54 (Reply 6): Where is the A330 coming from??

http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a330-1339.htm airfleets says that the plane is 0.5 years old, could it be straight from the factory? Maybe someone sold them the frame?

I still think that this route would be best served by a B767-300, I see that they have another one on order so maybe it will replace the A330?

Quoting ju068 (Reply 8): http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a330-1339.htm airfleets says that the plane is 0.5 years old, could it be straight from the factory? Maybe someone sold them the frame?

It was a factory fresh tail that was not taken up by Air Asia X.

Quoting HB-IWC (Reply 9):

Thanks for that. Do you know why Air Asia X decided not to take it?

Quoting Pe@rson (Reply 7): Yes, absolutely, hence the need to offset lower yields (i.e., lower revenue per passenger per mile) with greater traffic volume. And like to/from Malmo, I suspect the traffic that IA will capture from London will also be mainly VFR. Of course, we can guess otherwise, but sadly we don't have data to counteract it.

From London it will be VRF but they will also get Business travelers, now Iraq is a country that need to foreign investment and London is a big commercial hub, so I guess they will pick up some of this traffic as well, obviously biggest part of high yields will fly with TK, QR, EK... but slowly they will pick up some piece of the cake, same for govt officials travelling, they usually pay well and don´t care much about high fares, so they can get also part of that..

Quoting migair54 (Reply 11): From London it will be VRF but they will also get Business travelers, now Iraq is a country that need to foreign investment and London is a big commercial hub, so I guess they will pick up some of this traffic as well, obviously biggest part of high yields will fly with TK, QR, EK... but slowly they will pick up some piece of the cake, same for govt officials travelling, they usually pay well and don´t care much about high fares, so they can get also part of that..

Hence why I said

Quoting Pe@rson (Reply 7): I suspect the traffic that Iraqi Airways will capture from London will also be mainly VFR.

And not 'the only traffic...'

Agreed re. most higher-yielding traffic using TK, QR, EK.

It even has the Air Asia X business seats. Nice for a medium haul route.

Malmo seems to be a tech stop only, no traffic, why are people suggesting they will be picking/dropping passengers from there when its not even listed in the schedule.

Why arent IA painting their planes in full livery?

IA also resuming KWI from today Iraqi Airways Relaunch Kuwait (by 777way Feb 15 2013 in Civil Aviation)

[Edited 2013-02-15 22:57:56]

Quoting 777way (Reply 14):

Tech stop for what reason?

[Edited 2013-02-15 23:24:01]

Quoting ely747 (Reply 15):

I actually believe its due to a re-fuelling embargo in the UK and many other EU states, not to collect or drop off pax as some have stated, but I could be wrong.

I'm sure pax will disembark/board at Malmo however, this just happens to be a perk.

Its a security stop according to IA's UK website, another Iraqi charter carrier Al-Nasser also serve MMX from BGW and ISU apparently.

IA arabic website is listing Kudrat in Malaysia, besides Cyprus as new additions in booking menu, but it seems to be a dummy site,t they have also included Bombay in there now which is served, but some other places are missing like Delhi, Antalya, Adanna,

BTW Hong Kong is sitll there as well.

[Edited 2013-02-16 00:32:36]

Quoting 777way (Reply 17): besides Cyprus as new additions in booking menu

I noticed Cyprus as well. I know Cyprus Airways used to run a one weekly scheduled flight from Larnaca to Erbil during the summer. Maybe they intend on doing the same.

Quoting migair54 (Reply 6): Thank you for the info, that makes sense, however that traffic will be mainly VFR so not really high yielding,

I doubt that any fare to BGW can be considered "low yield".

Quoting 777way (Reply 14): Malmo seems to be a tech stop only, no traffic, why are people suggesting they will be picking/dropping passengers from there when its not even listed in the schedule.

Wouldn't it be fantastic, to have 5th freedom rights between MMX and LGW - just to fly IA!   

I hope they're IFR rather than VFR, the fuel consumption alone would be vast, though it would explain the tech stop! Not sure I can see this service lasting beyond a few months.

Quoting iraqiairways (Reply 22): The brand new A330 that will be used LONDON-IRAQ direct.

That my friend is a 777-200LR.

Quoting iraqiairways (Reply 22): The brand new A330 that will be used LONDON-IRAQ direct.

Reassuring.

Please google the Reg. YI-AQY. Which will confirm it is a brand new A330.

Regards,

Dhalia Burhan
Iraqi Airways UK Public Relations Representative

Quoting iraqiairways (Reply 25): Please google the Reg. YI-AQY. Which will confirm it is a brand new A330. Regards, Dhalia Burhan Iraqi Airways UK Public Relations Representative

The plane in the picture is a Boeing 777-29MLR registered YI-AQZ  

No doubt that YI-AQY is an Airbus A330 but that isn't the plane in the picture.

Quoting iraqiairways (Reply 22): Just to confirm the Malmo stop on the way back ONLY is for security checks no new passengers will come on board and no passengers will leave.

Can someone explain how/why such a security check occurs? I've never been on a flight that makes a stop en-route just for a security check.

Has Kuwait resumed as reported by a gulf newspaper last week?

[Edited 2013-02-21 14:56:35]

Quoting Pe@rson (Reply 7): I suspect the traffic that Iraqi Airways will capture from London will also be mainly VFR

Quoting skipness1E (Reply 21): I hope they're IFR rather than VFR, the fuel consumption alone would be vast, though it would explain the tech stop! Not sure I can see this service lasting beyond a few months.

Skipness1E: VFR in this case stands for Visiting Friends and Relatives.

Yes I know.....it was an attempt ar wordplay that bombed. So what's the deal? DFT won't allow non stop like the US does with Pakistan? Iraqi airport security just a word at the moment?

Quoting Iraqiairways (Reply 27): Dhalia Burhan Iraqi Airways UK Public Relations Representative

You claim to be the PR representative, but in your profile you have uploaded various photos of the new airplanes surrounded by the trashed and completely destroyed fuselages of Iraqi airliners from the Gulf war. Why would Iraqi's PR department use these photos? Those photos don't exactly evoke confidence in the airline.

Soren   

Hi all

Does anyone know if this service started a couple of days back?

Cheers

Yes, it did. It's operating again this evening.

Quoting hotplane (Reply 35):

Any pictures out there?

Quoting vasu (Reply 36): Quoting hotplane (Reply 35): Any pictures out there?

I hope those A330's wear full Iraqi Airways colors instead of an all-white aircraft with small airline titles. Maybe because of the flights arriving/departing at night in LGW, it is difficult to photograph(?)

EDIT: I just saw in post 27 that the A330 is all-white. Why don't they paint it in the green livery they used to have?

A388

[Edited 2013-03-07 11:52:57]

Quoting Iraqiairways (Reply 27): Hope you all enjoy this one.

Thanks for the photos   

Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 33): You claim to be the PR representative, but in your profile you have uploaded various photos of the new airplanes surrounded by the trashed and completely destroyed fuselages of Iraqi airliners from the Gulf war.

I found them very interesting to be honest. Would love to see more showing these especially any interiors. Its not as if they are going for the package holiday market so dont think it matters. Its the truth and reality on the ground. Why hide it !

Quoting vasu (Reply 36):

I just had one accepted to the database from MMX 5/3. Perhaps it ends up on the front page as news, i dont know.

Quoting Jofa (Reply 40): I just had one accepted to the database from MMX 5/3

View Large View Medium

Photo © Johan K

Certainly not worth a trip to LGW for.

[Edited 2013-03-07 14:56:38]

Quoting A388 (Reply 37): EDIT: I just saw in post 27 that the A330 is all-white. Why don't they paint it in the green livery they used to have?

They currently have three livery styles on three CRJs one original green wavy, one Bombardier house blue and one in new green livery plus one 737-200 in non-wavy variant of the original green livery.

Quoting skipness1E (Reply 31): So what's the deal? DFT won't allow non stop like the US does with Pakistan?

It's already been clarified that there's a significant potential market for Malmo. They're operating it as a triangular route so passengers to LGW will make a stop at Malmo westbound and fly nonstop eastbound. Vice versa for Malmo passengers -- nonstop westbound and a stop at LGW on the return trip. At least that's my assumption after looking at the planned schedule.

[Edited 2013-03-08 16:44:33]

Why does Iraq have a large market from Malmo?

Quoting iraqiairways (Reply 22): Just to confirm the Malmo stop on the way back ONLY is for security checks no new passengers will come on board and no passengers will leave.

Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 44):

whos right?

Will they serve liquor?

Quoting skipness1E (Reply 45): Why does Iraq have a large market from Malmo?

There are 120,000 Iraqi/Kurds settled in Southern Sweden .

In addition to the IA operation from Malmo and Gothenburg there are already several other flights to Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, and Baghdad, including a spurious operation that commences in Manchester several times a week !

[Edited 2013-03-09 11:03:15]

Quoting 777way (Reply 46): Quoting iraqiairways (Reply 22): Just to confirm the Malmo stop on the way back ONLY is for security checks no new passengers will come on board and no passengers will leave. Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 44): whos right?

Sorry, I missed the reference to the security checks. So please disregard my comments re carrying MMX traffic. It just seemed to make sense based on someone else's comment that there was a significant Iraqi community in Sweden.

What about BSR? I guess waiting on increasing acceptance from the super-majors' travel departments before trying to tap that market? But direct from LON-BSR could be gold... black gold.

What happened to the Embargo that US NEW aircrafts/aircraft parts cant be sold to them? How come they have the 777 LR and the A330 which are brand new? Am I missing something?

Quoting jayeshrulz (Reply 49): What happened to the Embargo that US NEW aircrafts/aircraft parts cant be sold to them? How come they have the 777 LR and the A330 which are brand new? Am I missing something?

That's Iran, not Iraq

Quoting LJ (Reply 50): Quoting jayeshrulz (Reply 49): What happened to the Embargo that US NEW aircrafts/aircraft parts cant be sold to them? How come they have the 777 LR and the A330 which are brand new? Am I missing something? That's Iran, not Iraq

The last remaining embargos/sanctions against Iraq were removed in 2010. Many had been removed earlier. I believe the only remaining sanction against Iraq is that they pay 5% of their oil revenues to Kuwait in reparation for the 1990 invasion.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12004115

Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 51): The last remaining embargos/sanctions against Iraq were removed in 2010. Many had been removed earlier. I believe the only remaining sanction against Iraq is that they pay 5% of their oil revenues to Kuwait in reparation for the 1990 invasion. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12004115

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you  
I feel IranAir too should be given a fair chance for expansion... they're in dire need of new airframes!

Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 51): I believe the only remaining sanction against Iraq is that they pay 5% of their oil revenues to Kuwait in reparation for the 1990 invasion.

I think that one is gone too now. Last month Iraq made a deal with Kuwait to pay them a bung to settle things.