Iraqi Airways to acquire two new aircraft in 2013

Iraqi Airways is set to acquire two new airplanes this year, raising to 20 the number of aircraft in its passenger fleet, reports al-shorfa.

"Iraqi Airways will take delivery in July of its first Boeing 737, while the second will be delivered in September," said Capt. Saad al-Khafajy, general director of the Transport Ministry's Iraqi Airways Company.

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Iraqi Airways has put the litigation threats behind it and is now concentrating on clawing back market share from other Arabian airlines that have entered Iraq and dominated proceedings.

“The airline is keen to deploy its new 737-800s, of which 30 are on order with a further ten options, to help not just grow its presence from its hub in Baghdad - these jets will also allow Iraqi Airways to build a greater domestic network to cities like Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Najaf, Karbala and Basra. These are cities, along with others, growing rapidly thanks to the likes of major Arabian full service and low cost airlines filling the void in the market.”

Ahmad added: “Iraqi Airways is also poised to receive up to ten 787-8 Dreamliner's for its international services. Given the recent battery angst on the 787, the overall delays to the program as well, the airline is also looking at 777-200LRs and 777-300ERs as interim lift as it expands its international operations. With the GCC and Persian Gulf peninsula already the fastest growing air travel market, Iraqi Airways is keen to rejuvenate its fortunes - there is much potential to be had, especially with the continued investment in Iraqi airport infrastructure and the increasing passenger numbers traversing to-and-through the country."