Dubai: Austrian Airlines, the first European carrier to fly to Iraq, is adding flights to its new service to Kurdistan as western diplomats and businessmen flock to this thriving and relatively stable region.
In December, the airline became the first European carrier to fly to Irbil, the capital of Kurdistan, in the north of Iraq.
In a land where the Kurdish flag flies over the airport and where a separate Kurdish visa is required, the Vienna-based carrier decided this province was far from the violence that has wreaked havoc in the southern part of the country.
Safety measures
"Our European passengers would not travel with us unless it was 100 per cent safe," said Karim Al Sanadily, Austrian's regional manager for the Gulf and Lebanon.
Although violence is unheard of in Kurdistan, the carrier liaises with local military and safety experts on a daily basis to ensure flight safety. Armed guards accompanied the first gaggle of journalists who flew with Austrian as they toured the city last month. They witnessed how the city is undergoing a transformation as construction cranes dot the skyline and locals complain of soaring land prices. The area has even become a magnet for southern Iraqis seeking work.
The local government even has a public relations campaign entitled "Kurdistan: The Other Iraq."
The carrier first secured air traffic rights in 2005, but it took another year to conduct all the route planning and safety analysis required for such a service.
In the summer, Austrian will increase its frequency from two flights a week to three on its Airbus A319 under a two-class configuration carrying 180 passengers.
Austrian recently started flights to Amman and Beirut, and is considering opening service from its hub in Vienna to Jeddah, Riyadh and Bahrain.
As the only Western carrier flying to Irbil, the unofficial gateway of Iraq for many businessmen and government and UN officials, the airline said the route is highly profitable after two months of service.
