Baghdad International Airport receives its first European plane after a 35-year hiatus
Baghdad International Airport receives its first European plane after a 35-year hiatus
2025-12-16
Baghdad International Airport received on Tuesday (December 16, 2025) the first European plane to land on its grounds after a hiatus of 35 years, in a historic milestone marking a new phase of recovery and openness in the Iraqi air transport sector.
The Ministry of Transport’s media office stated in a statement that “this flight came as a culmination of continuous efforts under the supervision of the Minister of Transport, Professor Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi, which resulted in preparing the operational, technical and security requirements and raising the readiness of the infrastructure of Iraqi airports, in accordance with the international standards adopted in European airports.”
The statement explained that “the flight was operated on the Baghdad-Athens-Baghdad route as part of a regular schedule of two flights per week, with the possibility of increasing the number of flights in the future according to demand rates and occupancy rates. The flight was operated by Aegean Airlines, the Greek national carrier, to be the first European plane to land in Baghdad in more than three decades, signaling Iraq’s return to the European aviation map.”
The statement indicated that “this step represents a qualitative leap in the path of air openness for Iraq, and reflects the increasing level of confidence in the capabilities of Baghdad International Airport and the efficiency of the infrastructure,” stressing that “Iraqi airports have become a safe operating environment and are capable of integrating into the international air system, especially since Aegean Airlines has a wide operating network covering 162 global destinations with a modern and advanced fleet.”
In the same context, the statement noted that “Oman Air will soon begin flights to Europe from Baghdad, which will enhance air connectivity between the Iraqi capital and European capitals, open up broader horizons for passenger traffic and contribute positively to the development of the tourism, business and economic exchange sectors.”
The statement continued, “These developments represent a qualitative addition to the air safety file in Iraq, and contribute directly to supporting efforts to lift the European ban on the Iraqi national carrier, especially with the great progress achieved by Iraqi Airways in the requirements of the IOSA program, where the rate of correction of observations and errors reached 81%, a clear indication of the seriousness of the reforms and commitment to international safety and quality standards.”
The statement concluded by noting that “the implementation of this flight reflects the success of Iraqi airports in restoring their regional and international presence, and consolidating Iraq’s position as a safe and regular air hub, in line with the Ministry of Transport’s vision to develop the civil aviation sector, enhance openness to the world, and make Iraqi airspace a bridge for international communication.”
burathanews.com
