Passenger flights make life easier for Iraq-bound travellers

Travelling between the UAE and Iraq has become easier since three airlines began scheduled flights between the two countries.

"Demand for passenger flights between the UAE and Iraq is increasing steadily, especially after the elections in Iraq last month," industry sources said, adding that more airlines would likely start passenger flights.

At least two airlines - Jupiter Airline and Ishtar Air - started scheduled flights in the past two months and one more - Air Horizon - has announced it will start service on Thursday.

John Kein, general manager of Air Horizon, said the airline will operate two weekly flights between Sharjah and Baghdad.

One flight will be nonstop and the other will fly from Sharjah to Baghdad via Abu Dhabi.

Kein said Air Horizon, which is a carrier in Togo, also has plans to operate from the UAE to African countries.

"There is competition now between airlines flying to Iraq from the UAE because passenger traffic is not very high."

Air Horizon will charge Dh1,990 for a return ticket and Dh1,450 for a one-way flight, which will operate on Thursdays and Sundays.

The operations manager of Jupiter Airline said the airline is already operating twice weekly flights from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport to Baghdad via Dubai.

"We started our scheduled flights in December from Ras Al Khaimah to Baghdad and now are preparing to start once a week flight to Arbil as well," he said, adding the airline also has plans to launch its operation to Africa and Pakistan.

The one-way fare from Ras Al Khaimah to Baghdad is Dh1,100 and a return ticket is Dh1,500. The airline also operates chartered cargo and passenger flights from the emirate.

Ishtar Airline also started two flights a week from Dubai to Baghdad on January 12.

The airline operates a weekly flight to Arbil as well. "Our major customers are Iraqis but people from other nationalities also travel," said Ali Yousaf, an airline official.