Latest news with #MaithamAl-Safi
Iraqi News
13 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.
Iraqi News
01-05-2025
- Climate
- Iraqi News
Weather-related closure at Baghdad International Airport
Baghdad – INA The Ministry of Transportation announced today, Thursday, the temporary closure of Baghdad Airport due to bad weather conditions, due to the dust storm that hit the capital. Ministry spokesman Maitham Al-Safi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "Baghdad International Airport was temporarily closed (for an hour) due to bad weather conditions, to departing and landing aircraft." He added that "Iraqi airspace is open and flights are proceeding smoothly and normally, but Baghdad Airport has been closed to departing and landing aircraft, with flights set to resume as soon as the weather improves." Baghdad was hit by a dust storm on Thursday evening, causing reduced visibility.
Iraqi News
08-03-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
MOT: A total of 26 airport development projects will be implemented
Baghdad - INA The Ministry of Transport announced today, Saturday, the continuation of implementing the development plan for Baghdad International Airport, while indicating the implementation of 26 projects in this regard. The spokesman for the Ministry of Transport, Maitham Al-Safi, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The ministry is continuing to implement its development plan for Iraqi airports, which was launched in mid-2024 under the direction of the Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi, through the General Company for Airports and Air Navigation Management." He explained that "Baghdad International Airport had a large share of this plan, as it included 26 projects aimed at developing the airport's infrastructure and improving the services provided." Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani had previously directed the adoption of international standards and specifications in the development operations of Baghdad Airport, which provide advantages that would improve the services provided to citizens, as well as address the challenges facing the work in order to complete it according to the prepared time frames and approved standards.
