Iraqi Airways to resume flights after 14 years

Iraq's national carrier Iraqi Airways will resume international flights today after 14 years of being grounded by war and sanctions.

The airline said it will launch scheduled flights to neighbouring Arab countries Syria and Jordan twice a week. "This is the first step for Iraqi Airways. We hope to expand our services to Dubai within weeks," an airline official said.

More international flights could help boost Iraq's reconstruction by providing more travel alternatives for businessmen and investors keen to avoid highways plagued by bandits and gunmen.