Dubai: Air Arabia is the first airline from the UAE to resume flights to Baghdad after services to the Iraqi capital were suspended last month by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
Flights were suspended for safety reasons after a flydubai aeroplane was shot at over Baghdad on January 27.
An Air Arabia spokesperson confirmed to Gulf News on Tuesday that its three-time weekly service from Sharjah to Baghdad have resumed.
Esmail Mohammad Al Beloushi, GCAA Assistant Director General — Aviation Safety Affairs, told Gulf News by phone the suspension has been lifted for “some airlines”.
“The event was investigated. We believed what caused [the suspension] has now been isolated,” he said.
A flydubai spokesperson told Gulf News by email “[we] will announce the reinstatement of our daily service to Baghdad soon.” A previous statement on its website said services to Baghdad are suspended until February 21. Emirates and Etihad Airways confirmed on Tuesday that their services to Baghdad remain suspended.
A statement from the GCAA later emailed to Gulf News said it has decided to “allow operators of aircraft registered in the UAE to resume flights to Baghdad International Airport, subject to compliance with additional safety and security requirements, after the Iraqi authorities validate the incident as accidental and not intentional.”
