Iraq is set to receive its largest aircraft to date from Airbus as the country continues to rebuild its economy after the social and economic turbulence that followed the US-led invasion in 2003.
Iraqi Airways has taken delivery of its first long range A330 from plane maker Airbus. The national carrier of Iraq will become a new operator for this type of aircraft, which already operates two A321 aircraft.
The 288 seater aeroplane is powered by GE engines and will be deployed on European routes including Germany, Austria and the UK.
“The A330 will allow us to grow our international routes while offering high quality of service and flight experience to our increasing number of passengers,” said Captain Saad Mahdi Saeed Al-Khafaji, general manager at Iraqi Airways , “The aircraft will service a number of international routes, namely to Europe, providing passengers a more comfortable journey with spacious seating.”
The country is connecting what is the tenth fastest growing economy in the world with the large economies in Western Europe, countries that have heavily shaped Iraq’s development over recent years after military involvement.
“We are pleased to welcome Iraqi Airways as a new operator of the A330 family aircraft. Iraq has a big potential and we are seeing more flights being operated to several cities in the country,” said John Leahy, Airbus’ chief operating officer.
