Iraqi Airways has announced it will resume flights from Baghdad International Airport to London Gatwick starting on March 5.
The resumption is a remarkable development given there hasn’t been a regular scheduled flight between the two capitals since the outbreak of the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
The first flight will depart from London Gatwick at 10 p.m., according to a statement from Iraqi Airways.
The airline will use its newly purchased Airbus A330, A321 and A320 planes to operate two return flights from London to Baghdad and one to Sulaimaniya every week.
“The frequency will increase to six flights a week by June 15, 2013,” said the airline.
“All return flights will stop in Malmo, Sweden, for a period of one hour for security reasons before entering the UK. The routes have already been granted permission by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.”