Airline launches flights to southern Iraq
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will launch flights to Basra in southern Iraq in mid-April.
The city will be the third destination in Iraq served by Etihad from its base in the United Arab Emirates. It already flies to the capital, Baghdad, and Erbil in the north.
Other airlines currently flying to Basra include Dubai-based Emirates, Gulf Air and Turkish Airlines.
"Iraq’s surging economy represents a good opportunity to add even greater depth to our schedule," said Etihad Airways president and chief executive officer James Hogan.
"Basra is an important industrial and transport hub but currently has only limited access to air services and we are delighted to be able to help improve these by investing in the local community."
The new Airbus A320 service will operate four times a week from April 15.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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