Iraqi Airways Receives First Boeing 787-8 and Expands Long-Haul Network
Iraqi Airways has recently taken delivery of its inaugural Boeing 787-8 aircraft, marking a significant milestone for the airline. The aircraft with the registration YI-ATC (msn 40108) was ferried from Charleston, SC to Baghdad on June 21-22, 2023. Configured to accommodate up to 266 passengers, including 24 in business class and 242 in economy class, the new addition sets the stage for the carrier’s expansion plans.
Director General Manaf Abdel-Monem revealed that as Iraqi Airways continues its fleet renewal, it aims to expand its long-haul network to the east. The airline envisions adding services to destinations such as Muscat, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, Kuala Lumpur International, and various points in China. Presently, the airline predominantly operates within the Middle East, North Africa, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Russia, with its longest scheduled route being from Baghdad to Mumbai International. The carrier’s sole active widebody aircraft, a Boeing 777-200(LR), is primarily utilized for Hajj charters to Jeddah and Madinah.
The delivered Boeing 787-8, marked as YI-ATC, is the first of ten such aircraft scheduled to join the fleet by the end of 2027. The subsequent deliveries comprise eight more 787-8s and a single 787-9. The initial plan had the second 787-8 delivery set for July 2023, while the remaining eight will be introduced between 2024 and 2026.
Iraqi Airways currently operates a diverse and aging fleet with several maintenance challenges. It consists of three A320-200s, two A321-200s, one A330-200, one Boeing 737-700, fourteen 737-800s, two 747-400s, one 777-200LR, and six CRJ900s. In efforts to renew its fleet, the airline has already added four grounded A220-300s and four 737-8s.
Furthermore, the airline has outstanding orders for one more A220-300, two 737-8s, ten 737-10s, as well as the 787s from Airbus and Boeing. Simultaneously, Iraqi Airways is working on reactivating its grounded aircraft to enhance its operational capacity.