Iraqi Airways Moves Closer to Meeting EU Safety Standards, Transport Minister Confirms

RAMCO website

Iraqi Airways.

Iraqi Airways has completed 70 percent of the safety requirements mandated by the European Union (EU), marking significant progress toward lifting a long-standing aviation ban, according to Iraq’s Minister of Transport, Razzaq Al-Saadawi.

As reported by Iraqi News, Al-Saadawi stated that the national airline has partnered with international aviation specialists to support both Iraqi Airways and the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) in aligning with EU safety protocols.

The EU’s embargo on Iraqi Airways, in place almost continuously since 1991, has severely limited the airline’s international operations. Originally introduced following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and subsequent sanctions, the ban was temporarily lifted in 2009, only to be reinstated in 2015 due to persistent safety violations.

Despite repeated attempts by successive Iraqi governments to have the restriction removed, the EU has maintained the ban, citing non-compliance with safety regulations laid out by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

To accelerate reform, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani ordered the adoption of a new administrative structure during a meeting with a delegation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in November 2024. This initiative aims to overhaul aviation oversight and bring Iraqi civil aviation up to international standards.

Maitham Al-Safi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport, confirmed that the primary issue remains Iraqi Airways’ failure to fully meet international aviation safety criteria. Until full compliance is achieved, the ban on Iraqi aircraft entering EU airspace will remain a major obstacle for the country’s aviation sector.

Nonetheless, the recent progress offers a rare glimpse of optimism for the future of Iraqi air travel.


PUKMEDIA / Iraqi News