Qatar Airways launches service to Baghdad

Qatar Airways has launched service to its second destination in Iraq – capital Baghdad in a span of two weeks.The Doha-based airline is operating four-flights-a-week, non-stop on the Baghdad route. The move comes just two weeks after Qatar Airways launched flights, also four-times-a-week, to the northern Iraqi city of Erbil.Cargo traffic bound for Iraq will see a boost when Qatar Airways launches a dedicated weekly freighter service to Erbil, from July 5.Both the Erbil and Baghdad passenger services are being operated with an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in business class and 132 in economy.Qatar Airways senior vice-president (GCC, Levant, Iran, Iraq and the Subcontinent) Fathi al-Shehab was onboard inaugural flight QR442 to Baghdad, which arrived at the city’s international airport to a traditional water salute welcome followed by an airport ceremony attended by local officials and media.The addition of Baghdad takes Qatar Airways’ global network to 116 destinations worldwide. Qatar Airways’ passengers flying to Iraq from destinations across the Gulf, Europe, the subcontinent, Asia Pacific and the Americas can easily connect through Doha.Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar al-Baker said, “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. “With our new passenger flights to both Baghdad and Erbil, together with our new dedicated freighter service to Erbil starting next month, Qatar Airways is offering excellent capacity to and from the country.”“With growing business ties between Iraq and the rest of the world, it is a natural next step for the airline to expand further within the region, providing opportunities for greater economic, cultural and educational exchanges through this greater air access,” al-Baker added.