Grounded planes and the “Baghdad Gate”… Parliament investigates Iraqi Airways files
Grounded planes and the “Baghdad Gate”… Parliament investigates Iraqi Airways files
2026-07-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Saturday, Mohammed Abu Al-Eis, a member of the Parliamentary Transportation and Communications Committee, revealed that his committee intends to host executive officials from the government and the Ministry of Transportation in the coming days to discuss the issue of lifting the European ban on Iraqi Airways and to review the measures taken to remove the obstacles that hinder this.
Abu Al-Eis told Shafaq News Agency that the committee, in its oversight role, recorded a number of observations and administrative and financial violations related to the Iraqi Airways General Company, indicating that these files were handed directly to the Minister of Transport to take the necessary measures regarding them.
He added that the committee will discuss, during the upcoming meeting, the latest developments related to communication with the relevant European authorities, and the government steps aimed at lifting the ban imposed on Iraqi Airways and resuming its flights to European airspace.
Abu Al-Eis pointed to the existence of “suspicions of corruption” in the company, including the file of the “Baghdad Gate” company contract, and the file of the grounded aircraft, as well as other legal, administrative and financial violations, according to him.
The Iraqi MP continued, saying that the files condemn the former director of Iraqi Airways who was relieved of his position, demanding that the competent authorities hold him accountable and take legal action against him.
Last Sunday, Transport Minister Wahab Al-Hassani decided to remove the Director General of Iraqi Airways from his post.
The text of the ministerial order, which was received by Shafaq News Agency, reads: “For the purposes of the work interest and based on the powers vested in us, the following is hereby assigned: the suspension of Munaf Abdul-Munim Ajil, Director General of the Iraqi Airways Company, for a period of 60 days.”
The Supreme Judicial Council in Iraq recently announced the recovery of 19 billion dinars in a “financial corruption” case at Iraqi Airways.
Last year, the Ministry of Transport announced the completion of 75% of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program in what it described as “accelerated” steps to lift the European ban imposed on Iraqi Airways.
Iraqi aircraft have been subject to a ban preventing them from entering European airspace or landing at its airports for years, which the Iraqi authorities are working to change through their procedures in consultation with relevant international bodies.
shafaq.com
