Air Scotland to Baghdad…

OK, even this one was a suprise!!!

Air Scotland lays out Baghdad ambitions
Aimee Turner, London (09May05, 17:15 GMT, 290 words)

UK carrier Air Scotland has outlined its ambitions to begin flights to the Iraqi capital Baghdad and the northern city Erbil, possibly as soon as this November.

Air Scotland CEO Dhia Al-Ani says the airline has applied to the UK Department for Transport for permission to operate twice-weekly flights to Baghdad, which would start in Glasgow and land at London Stansted before continuing direct to Iraq. It is also keen on serving Erbil.

“In our view if the new Government which has just been democratically elected helps the situation in Iraq settle down, we hope to fly as soon as November,” says Iraqi-born Al-Ani.

“We have already made contact with the interim Government of Iraq. While there may be a new minister of transport shortly, we have had several communications with the interim minister Louai Alerris who has told us that as soon as we are ready they will give us all the assistance we need.”

Commercial air services to Baghdad airport are currently operated by privately-owned Iraqi start-up Ishtar Airlines operating Boeing 737s and Jordanian national carrier Royal Jordanian through its Royal Wings subsidiary from Amman operating Airbus A320s.

“If we get the go ahead we plan to operate a Boeing 757 or [Lockheed L-1011] Tristar for around £500 ($945) return.

“Air Scotland is hoping to be the first airline to link [again] the UK and Iraq. If the security situation does not improve we will however delay the launch. The problem is not with Baghdad Airport itself but the road to the airport. The US base is situated close by and it has become something of a target.”

He adds that if security situation has not improved in Baghdad the airline will press ahead with flights to Erbil.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news