Iraqi direct flight boost
IRAQI Airways has become the latest international carrier to launch a direct service from Manchester.
From March 15, the he national flag carrier of Iraq, will begin two new flights from Manchester to Sulaymaniyah and Erbil.
Departing from terminal one, the flight to Erbil will depart Manchester on a Wednesday at 22:00 and the flight to Sulaymaniyah will leave on a Sunday also at 22:00.
Both routes will be operated by a Boeing 737-800 with capacity for 162 passengers.
Ken O’Toole chief commercial officer at Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: “We are pleased to welcome Iraqi Airways to Manchester Airport and further increase the options and choice for passengers travelling to and from the Middle East.
“Manchester is now the only airport outside of London to offer these routes with Iraqi Airways, and confirms the national role played by our airport.
“With Manchester already having two runways and a catchment area of 22 million people living with two hours of the airport, we have the capacity to support airlines that have ambition to grow in the UK.”
Saad Al-Khafaji, general manager UK, Iraqi Airways said: “We are looking forward to working with everyone at Manchester Airport to offer passengers the opportunity to fly direct to Iraq.
“With a strong Kurdish community across the region in the North and West Midlands, we are sure the route will prove to be popular.”
Iraqi Airways, founded in 1945, is one of the oldest Middle Eastern carriers and offers a mix of domestic and international services to over 40 destinations. Erbil is the largest city & capital of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq, and Sulaymaniyah is a city in Southern Kurdistan.
