Iraqi Airways
IraqFull-service carrierSince 1945
Iraqi Airways is the state-owned national airline of Iraq, founded in 1945 and based at Baghdad International Airport. Iraq's transport ministry said in 2026 that it serves more than 40 domestic and international destinations. Iraqi Airways is not in an airline alliance and has been banned from EU airspace since 2015.
- Founded
- 1945
- Headquarters
- Baghdad, Iraq
- Country
- Iraq
- Main hubs
- Baghdad International Airport (BGW)
- Airline type
- Full-service carrier
- Alliance
- None
- Ownership
- Wholly owned by the Government of Iraq, according to CAPA; AACO lists the owner as the public sector.
- Callsign
- IRAQI
- Website
- ia.gov.iq
How travel agents book Iraqi Airways
GDS distribution
No verified public statement of Iraqi Airways' GDS distribution arrangements was found for this profile.
NDC
No public NDC programme details verified at time of writing.
Direct channels
Iraqi Airways sells through its own offices; its UK office website lists online booking, prices, schedules and an agents section.
Notes for travel agents
Iraqi Airways cannot operate to the EU while it is on the EU Air Safety List, so itineraries between Iraq and Europe must use other carriers for the European sector.
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History of Iraqi Airways
Iraqi Airways was founded in 1945 and is one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East. Its first aircraft were de Havilland Dragon Rapides, later replaced by Vickers Viscounts, and in the 1960s it entered the jet age with Tupolev Tu-124s and Hawker Siddeley Tridents.
In the 1970s the airline added Boeing 707s and 747s and won the right to fly to New York. The following decades brought war, international sanctions and long interruptions to service, and the airline's own history describes the period after 1979 as a turning point for the company.
Iraqi Airways joined the Arab Air Carriers Organization in 1965 and remains wholly owned by the Iraqi government. Since 2015 it has been on the EU list of carriers banned from European airspace because of safety concerns, and the transport ministry says it is working through IATA's operational safety audit and an EU third country operator authorisation to return to Europe.
The airline is renewing its fleet. In 2025 the transport ministry said it had received 13 new aircraft, five A220s, six 737 MAX and two 787-8s, with eight more 787-8s and ten more 737 MAX due within two years.
Milestones
- 1945Iraqi Airways is founded.
- 1965Joins the Arab Air Carriers Organization.
- 2015Placed on the EU list of airlines banned from European airspace.
- 2024Resumes direct Baghdad to Beijing flights in July.
- 2025Transport ministry reports 13 new aircraft received and further 787-8 and 737 MAX deliveries planned.
- 2026Ministry reports advanced progress on IOSA requirements towards lifting the EU ban.
Fleet
Aircraft types in service as of 2026
Iraqi Airways is replacing older aircraft with the Boeing 737 MAX, Boeing 787-8 and Airbus A220-300. In June 2025 the transport ministry said the airline had received five A220s, six 737 MAX and two 787-8s, with eight more 787-8s and ten more 737 MAX due within two years. AACO's January 2026 fleet table, based on Cirium data, also lists older 737s, A320s, A321s and CRJ900s.
Network and hubs
Iraqi Airways operates from Baghdad International Airport (BGW), and also flies from other Iraqi cities, with recent routes such as Erbil to Ankara and Kirkuk to Baku. Iraq's transport ministry said in January 2026 that the airline serves more than 40 domestic and international destinations.
International routes named by the ministry include Beijing, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya, Amman, Cairo and Dubai. Flights to the EU are not possible while the airline remains on the EU Air Safety List, although the ministry has said it plans new European destinations once the ban is lifted.
Iraqi Airways: frequently asked questions
What are Iraqi Airways' IATA and ICAO codes?
Iraqi Airways uses the IATA airline code IA and the ICAO designator IAW, with the radio callsign IRAQI. IATA's code directory lists the airline as Iraqi Airways, registered in Iraq. The IA code appears on tickets and flight numbers, while IAW is used in flight plans and air traffic control.
Is Iraqi Airways banned in Europe?
Yes. Iraqi Airways has been on the EU list of airlines banned from operating in EU airspace since 2015 because of safety concerns. Iraq's transport ministry said in January 2026 that it had met 81% of IOSA requirements and was preparing for an EU third country operator certificate.
Which aircraft does Iraqi Airways fly?
Iraqi Airways is renewing its fleet with Boeing 737 MAX 8s, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and Airbus A220-300s. In 2025 the transport ministry said eight more 787-8s and ten more 737 MAX were due within two years. Older Boeing 737s, Airbus A320s and A321s and CRJ900s also remain listed.
Is Iraqi Airways in an airline alliance?
No. Iraqi Airways is not a member of Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam. It is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), which it joined in 1965, and it is wholly owned by the Government of Iraq.
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Book a meetingSources
- Iraqi Airways UK — Our history
- Iraqi Airways UK — Official UK office website
- AACO — Member airlines: Iraqi Airways (incl. Erbil-Ankara and Kirkuk-Baku route news, 2024)
- CAPA — Iraqi Airways airline profile
- Rudaw — Iraq inching closer to lifting EU flight ban on national airline (January 2026)
- AGBI — Iraqi Airways to get 18 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft (June 2025)
- IATA — Airline and location code search
- FAA — JO 7340.2N Contractions (ICAO three-letter designators and telephony)