Iraqi transport minister Razzaq Al-Saadawi is claiming completion of more than three-quarters of the requirements for an IATA safety programme aimed a lifting a European ban on Iraqi Airways.
Al-Saadawi gave a completion figure of 78% during a speech at the ITL Expo 2025 which covers Iraqi developments in international transportation and logistics.
He says the measures are part of a corrective plan for the IATA operational safety audit, intended to restore Iraqi Airways’ access to European destinations.
The flag-carrier was individually blacklisted by the European Commission in late 2015, and followed by Fly Baghdad in 2023.
According to the Commission’s latest revision of the situation in June, a technical meeting with the Iraqi civil aviation authority had indicated that the regulator was undertaking legislative and institutional efforts to improve aviation safety oversight.
But while progress has been made, the Commission stated, an on-site assessment initially planned for September this year was probably premature, as further progress needed to be demonstrated.
Al-Saadawi told delegates at the expo, which opened on 15 October, that the ministry had completed the restoration of Mosul international airport, and final work was underway with the Nasiriyah airport.
The minister recently toured Nasiriyah airport, the development of which includes a passenger terminal and a main 3,400m runway.
Al-Saadawi also informed the expo that Iraqi Airways’ modernisation has included introducing 13 Boeing 787 and 737 Max aircraft.
