Latest news with #Al-Safi
Iraqi News
14 hours ago
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraqi Airways to add 31 new aircraft by 2027
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Ministry of Transport disclosed a plan on Saturday to expand Iraqi Airways' fleet by purchasing new aircraft. In a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the spokesperson of the Iraqi Transport Ministry, Maitham Al-Safi, explained that the ministry has developed a comprehensive plan to increase the number of aircraft through deals with major manufacturers. Iraqi Airways has received 13 aircraft, expanding the national carrier's air fleet, according to Al-Safi. Al-Safi illustrated that the aircraft Iraqi Airways received include five Airbus A220s, six Boeing 737 Max aircraft, and two B787-8s, known as Dreamliners. The Iraqi official stated that eight additional Dreamliners and 10 Max aircraft will be delivered, increasing the total number of modern aircraft purchased by Iraqi Airways to 31 by 2027. Al-Safi stated that Iraqi Airways has successfully returned 14 of the 24 grounded aircraft to operational status, emphasizing that the restoration of the remaining grounded aircraft is proceeding according to a set plan. Al-Safi added that Iraqi Airways currently owns 39 aircraft.
Iraqi News
4 days ago
- Business
- Iraqi News
MOT: Iraqi Airspace Has Become a Major Air Corridor for European and Asian Companies
Baghdad - INA The Ministry of Transport confirmed on Thursday that Iraqi airspace has become a major air corridor for Asian and European companies. While noting that overflights boost financial revenues and support infrastructure development, it also noted plans to modernize takeoff and landing systems and expand the use of airspace. Ministry of Transport spokesperson Maitham Al-Safi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The increase in the number of aircraft overflighting Iraqi airspace is a natural result of the development of the country's air navigation infrastructure. In addition, Iraq's distinguished geographical location has led Asian and European airlines, including those from Singapore, Malaysia, and Bangladesh, to use Iraqi airspace as a major air corridor for their international flights, and the numbers are increasing." He added, "Iraqi airspace has witnessed active air traffic in recent days, amid a growing trend by international airlines to take advantage of Iraq's strategic geographic location and the shortened flight times and reduced fuel consumption it offers." He noted that "the Iraqi General Air Navigation Company has dealt efficiently with the increase in the number of flights by implementing a series of regulatory measures, including increasing the number of technical staff, opening new control sections, and introducing an advanced system for dividing air sectors according to the volume of traffic. This has contributed to ensuring smooth transit and enhancing air safety. Furthermore, a number of European airlines, most notably Air France, have begun to use Iraqi airspace as a primary corridor for their routes." Al-Safi explained that 'the Ministry, through air navigation, continues to implement its plans to develop services in coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), by modernizing take-off and landing systems at most Iraqi airports, and expanding the scope of use of civil airspace, which enhances the operational attractiveness of Iraqi airspace for international airlines.' He indicated that 'there is a direct proportionality, as the more flights, the more revenues, and the more revenues, the greater the opportunities to develop infrastructure more and more according to sustainable plans and programs to achieve integration, in addition to maximizing state revenues through financial returns.'
Iraqi News
7 days ago
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraqi Airways cooperates with IATA to lift EU ban
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Ministry of Transport reported that Iraqi Airways has met 65 percent of the conditions required to lift the European ban. In a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the spokesperson of the Iraqi Transport Ministry, Maitham Al-Safi, said that swift actions are being made to accelerate the removal of the restriction in collaboration with the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Al-Safi explained that the most recent initiatives involve an agreement between Iraqi Airways and an IATA team specializing in removing the ban. In February, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and a delegation from IATA reviewed the progress made in completing the measures introduced by the committee tasked with achieving the conditions required for lifting the embargo. IATA's Regional Vice President, Kamil Al-Awadi, stated that Iraq has completed 56 percent of the corrective strategy, illustrating that the work is progressing according to schedule. The country's flag carrier has had major issues for almost a decade, with the European Union (EU) extending a ban on its flights owing to failure to comply with IATA's global aviation safety requirements. In June 2024, Al-Sudani emphasized the need to meet the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and 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 earlier that committing to international standards will help lift the ban imposed by the EU on Iraqi Airways.
Shafaq News
09-05-2025
- Shafaq News
Iraqi airports boost readiness: 5 – 6 daily pilgrims flights
Shafaq News/ Iraq is to run between five to six flights per day from all of its airports to transport Hajj pilgrims this year, a transport ministry official said on Thursday. Maytham Al-Safi, director of public relations and media at the Ministry of Transport, told Shafaq News that the state-owned General Company for Passenger and Delegations Transport is fully prepared for the operation. 'Transport operations will begin on May 13 and continue through May 20,' Al-Safi said. He added that all Iraqi airports and airspace are fully prepared, emphasizing that the movement of pilgrims will be carried out in close coordination with the Hajj and Umrah Commission. In 2024, Iraq was allocated 33,690 pilgrims for the Hajj season, with the Kurdistan Region receiving 13.9% of the total quota, which included guides, contractors, and administrative staff.
Asharq Al-Awsat
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Sudan: Founding Alliance Nominates Hemedti to Lead Presidential Council in Parallel Government
Izzadin Al-Safi, advisor to the leader of the Rapid Support Forces, revealed that the Ta'sis (Founding) alliance has unanimously agreed to nominate RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, president of the presidential council in the parallel government set to be formed under the Nairobi Charter. This agreement includes the RSF and its allied military and civilian factions. Al-Safi expects the formation of the parallel government to be announced immediately after Eid al-Fitr, stating: 'Consultations and agreements on forming the Unity and Peace Government have reached very advanced stages, and it is highly likely that its formation will be announced after the holiday.' Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Safi confirmed that the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), led by Abdelaziz Adam Al-Hilu, along with other factions within the alliance, will hold leadership positions in the new government. He asserted that recent military developments have not affected plans to announce the parallel cabinet. On the contrary, he said, 'They have only strengthened the determination to form this government and end military rule over state institutions.' Dismissing claims of internal disputes over ministerial positions, Al-Safi emphasized that the focus is not on power-sharing but rather on 'consensus, participation, and competence—while taking into account the relative weight of each faction.' He also stated that military leaders within the Ta'sis alliance have agreed that the new government's primary mission will be protecting civilians. Additionally, these forces will serve as the 'nucleus of a new national army, incorporating all armed factions.' A unified military command is also planned, including a Security and Defense Council and other military bodies. According to Al-Safi, 'Leaders of the armed factions will be part of the senior command structure, ensuring their participation in all military operations to protect civilians.' The Ta'sis alliance was formed in Nairobi, Kenya, on February 22, bringing together the RSF, armed movements, political parties, and civilian groups. Key members include the SPLM, led by Abdelaziz Al-Hilu, the Revolutionary Front, and factions from the Umma and Democratic Unionist parties. The alliance's political charter adopted a transitional constitution, marking the first official recognition of Sudan as a secular, democratic, and federal state.
