British Airways has been given permission to start flights to Iraq. The airline received confirmation today (Tuesday, August 12) from the US-led administration in Iraq, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), that it had been granted approval to begin air services to Basra.

The airline plans to fly twice a week, via Kuwait, using a Boeing 777 aircraft. A decision will be taken, together with the CPA, to set a date for the resumption of flights.

Geoff Want, director of safety and security, said: “The security of our customers, staff and operation is absolutely paramount and we will fly to Iraq only once we are confident that it is safe for us to do so.”

Alan Burnett, regional director for the Middle East and Africa, said: “We are delighted that we have been given the go ahead to start services to Iraq. Our priority is to establish flights to Basra as soon as we can but we continue to look at the possibility of starting flights to Baghdad in the future once the airport is open.

“Air services connecting Iraq with Europe will provide a vital link during the rebuilding of Iraq and commercial flights will be the cornerstone of the economic development of the country.”
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