Tag Archives | United Arab Emirates

FlyBaghdad has eyes on Dubai, then Europe

Iraq’s youngest airline, FlyBaghdad, is in talks to start flying to Dubai and plans to launch European routes in early 2016, according to a report from Gulf News. The airline’s Regional Commercial Manager, Mohammad Abdali, told the news agency that the Iraqi-owned airline started domestic flights to Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Najaf and Basra from its hub […]

Iraqi Airways Banned from EU, Aerovista Provides Support

By John Lee. UAE-based Aerovista announced on Thursday that it is providing its A320-200 (SX-BDS) aircraft on an ACMI basis (i.e. aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance) to Iraqi Airways. "By partnering with Aerovista," the company said, "Iraqi Airways are able to provide services to Europe by using an EASA approved carrier with European crew. […]

Kurdistan Imports Less Gold

By John Lee. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has imported 26 tons of gold in the first six months of the year, a reduction on the same period last year. According to a report from Shafaaq News, 16.7 tons were imported through Sulaymaniyah International Airport, 8.2 tons through Erbil International Airport, and 1 ton through […]

Emirates to Resume Flights to Erbil

By John Lee. Emirates Airlines is to resume passenger flights to Erbil from 15th August. The Dubai-based carrier suspended flights in March following security concerns relating to the 'Islamic State' group (IS, ISIS, ISIL). There will be four weekly return flights, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft; as a precaution, the […]

Dana Gas, KRG in Spat over Court Ruling

By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has reacted angrily to a statement from Sharjah-based Dana Gas. Shares in the company jumped 13.7 percent on the Abu-Dhabi stock exchange on Sunday after the company won a ruling in the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) in its long-running dispute with the KRG in Iraq […]

Bloom to Build 40,000 Villas in Karbala

By John Lee. Abu Dhabi’s Bloom Holdings is reportedly planning to build a new town outside Karbala. The project, which will take 10 years to complete, involves the construction of 40,000 villas, along with hospitality and educational components, according to Khaleej Times. Sameh Muhtadi (pictured), CEO of Bloom Holdings, told the newspaper: “We have received […]

US Devotes More Resources to Iraq

By Patrick Schmidt. The United States military has repositioned and deployed additional military resources to Iraq in the wake of two major events. The brutal murder of a Jordanian fighter pilot by the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) has sent another shock through the international community. As a result, the United Arab Emirates has withdrawn […]

Flights Suspended After Airplane Shooting

By John Lee. Several airlines have suspended flights to Baghdad on Tuesday after bullets hit an airplane as it was landing at Baghdad International Airport. Reuters reports that two passengers were slightly injured when three or four bullets hit the body of a flydubai plane carrying 154 passengers on Monday evening. It was not known […]

UAE Offers Mirage Fighters to Iraq

By John Lee. Defense News cites a source within the government of the United Arab Emirates as saying that the UAE may sell up to 10 Mirage 2000-9s fighter jets to the Iraqi Air Force in March. The decision comes following a visit by the Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, to Abu Dhabi in December. […]

Iranian Oil Passed Off as Iraqi

By John Lee. Reuters reports that a shipping insurer has warned that Iranian oil is being disguised as Iraqi, in an attempt to flout sanctions on Tehran. Insurer West of England said that Iranian crude labelled as Iraqi crude from Basra was being transferred ship-to-ship (STS) by smugglers at the Khor Fakkan port in the […]