Boeing jet arrival boosts Iraqi aviation
Source: Agencies |
December 16, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE first new Boeing airliner sold to Iraq in years touched down in Baghdad yesterday, signaling the country's determination to rebuild its economy after decades of war and sanctions.
Iraq is eager to improve its creaky aviation industry, which lags far behind that of its energy-rich neighbors. Boeing's delivery of the twin-aisle 777-200LR plane comes less than two weeks after the company's chief rival Airbus announced the delivery of one of its planes to Iraq.
"The arrival of the Boeing today is a step forward in building a big and reliable Iraqi Airways fleet," Iraqi Transportation Ministry spokesman Karim al-Nouri said.
More planes are coming. Iraq has ordered another 30 of Boeing's smaller 737-800 model and 10 of its new 787. The first of the 737s will be delivered in the middle of next year, according to the Chicago-based plane maker.
Airbus in early December said it had delivered its first A330-200 to Iraq. Iraqi Airways, which plans to use that plane on European and other international routes, already operates two Airbus A321s.
Iraqi Airways' efforts to turn itself around have been hobbled by aging equipment, a lack of adequately trained staff and a long-running dispute with Kuwait stemming from Saddam Hussein's invasion in 1990 and accusations that Saddam's regime stole 10 airplanes and millions of dollars worth of equipment and spare parts.
Iraq and Kuwait earlier this year reached a US$500 million deal to settle the feud, paving the way for Iraqi Airways to resume normal operations.
Iraq is eager to improve its creaky aviation industry, which lags far behind that of its energy-rich neighbors. Boeing's delivery of the twin-aisle 777-200LR plane comes less than two weeks after the company's chief rival Airbus announced the delivery of one of its planes to Iraq.
"The arrival of the Boeing today is a step forward in building a big and reliable Iraqi Airways fleet," Iraqi Transportation Ministry spokesman Karim al-Nouri said.
More planes are coming. Iraq has ordered another 30 of Boeing's smaller 737-800 model and 10 of its new 787. The first of the 737s will be delivered in the middle of next year, according to the Chicago-based plane maker.
Airbus in early December said it had delivered its first A330-200 to Iraq. Iraqi Airways, which plans to use that plane on European and other international routes, already operates two Airbus A321s.
Iraqi Airways' efforts to turn itself around have been hobbled by aging equipment, a lack of adequately trained staff and a long-running dispute with Kuwait stemming from Saddam Hussein's invasion in 1990 and accusations that Saddam's regime stole 10 airplanes and millions of dollars worth of equipment and spare parts.
Iraq and Kuwait earlier this year reached a US$500 million deal to settle the feud, paving the way for Iraqi Airways to resume normal operations.
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