The Iraqi government is intensifying its efforts to lift the 10-year ban on Iraqi Airways flights to European Union countries. Ministry of Transport spokesperson Maitham Al-Safi explained in this context that they have completed 79% of the necessary procedures for this purpose.
Al-Safi explained, in a statement to Rudaw Media Network on Monday (October 27, 2025), that the ministry has completed "through a specialized committee and through a very good process... 79% of the corrective measures in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program."
He pointed out that this is "a first step before obtaining the TCO certificate, which is the gateway to lifting the ban," noting that a contract exists with a team from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to "assist Iraqi Airways in meeting the requirements for lifting the ban."
It is worth noting that the European Union ban on Iraqi Airways was imposed in 1991, briefly lifted in 2009, but reimposed in 2015.
According to the International Air Transport Association, the main reason for the reimposition of the ban was Iraqi Airways' failure to comply with international aviation safety standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
A spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Transport stated that his ministry plans to increase the number of flights and has received 13 aircraft over the past three years, most notably Dreamliners and Max aircraft from Boeing. He noted that Iraqi Airways currently operates 39 aircraft.
Regarding future plans, Al-Safi expects "the receipt of 18 more aircraft by 2027, including eight Dreamliners and ten Max aircraft, bringing the number of new aircraft to 31 by 2027."
Iraq has completed 79% of the requirements for lifting the European ban on its flights.
