Iraqi Airways carries 9,200 passengers between Iraq and Russia in 12 months

The majority of its passengers used Baghdad – Moscow (Wikimedia)

Iraqi Airways has carried 9,200 passengers (5,200 inbound to Russia and 4,000 outbound) between Iraq and Russia in the first 12 months of operating the flights after a 13-year suspension. The airline operates flights to Moscow Vnukovo airport from Basra and Baghdad. The majority of its passengers — 8,500 — used the latter route, reports Vnukovo airport. August proved the peak month, with 1,400 passengers traveling between the two countries.

The national carrier of Iraq performed its first renewed service to Russia on September 17, 2017 after 13 years during which air connections between the two countries were suspended. The hiatus had been caused by security concerns over the military activities in Iraq.

Prior to resuming flights to Moscow, Iraqi Airways launched services to former Soviet republics: first to Baku, Azerbaijan in 2016, and then to Minsk, Belarus in 2017.

Iraqi Airways operates a fleet of 32 aircraft including Airbus A320-200s, Airbus A330-200s, Boeing 737-700s, Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 747-400s and Bombardier CRJ-900s.