Qatar expands further into Iraq

Qatar Airways has just expanded passenger services to Iraq with the launch of its second destination in the country – the capital, Baghdad – operating four times a week.

The move comes just two weeks after the airline launched four-times-a-week flights to the northern Iraqi city of Erbil.

Cargo traffic for Iraq will see a boost when Qatar Airways launches a dedicated weekly freighter service to Erbil, effective July 5.

Both the Erbil and Baghdad passenger services are operated with an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration – 12 seats in business class and 132 in economy.

Qatar Airways ceo, Akbar Al Baker, says: “Baghdad had long been on our list of destinations which we identified as being a key part of growing our Middle East network. During Iraq’s current period of reform and development, with industries resurging and many new companies expanding operations to Iraq, we felt this was the time to move into the country.”