Iraqi Airways boss can leave London - but must return to face examination

The Director General of Iraqi Airways has been allowed to leave the UK and return to Baghdad following an enforced stay of more than a week in London.

Captain Kifah’s passport was confiscated following a court order from the British High Court with regard to a claim for $1.2bn of damages by Kuwait Airways following what the Kuwaiti’s describe as “theft” of their fleet by Saddam Hussein’s forces more than 20 years ago.

Catain Kifah had been on the inaugural flight from Baghdad to Lodnon for Iraqi Airways when papers were served on the wet leased aircraft.

The Kuwaitis have said they will continue to get Iraqi Airways aircraft impounded until the court’s order for repayment of the damages is made,

Captain Kifah appeared in court in London earlier this week and undertook to return to London within three weeks to face cross examination over Iraqi Airlines assets in the UK and internationally.

Leading the legal team for the Kuwaitis, Chris Gooding of Fasken Martineau, said: “We have achieved exactly what we sought by the Court order : that is, to find out how IAC is organising its operations on a worldwide basis including how it can afford its $4.5 billion new fleet purchasing programme. We have therefore co-operated fully with the Court, negotiating with IAC's representatives a formula which allowed full compliance with the order and the release Capt Kifah. “We were pleased to return Capt Kifah's passport and wish him Godspeed on his way back home. We trust that he will be able to fully comply with the order for disclosure of worldwide assets when back at his desk with all his files to hand and will be fully briefed for his return to England for cross examination."