Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The European Union’s ongoing embargo on Iraqi Airways’ aircraft has been a significant obstacle for the airline for almost ten years.
The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) international aviation safety requirements were not met by the company, which is why it was banned.
Following the invasion of Kuwait by the previous Iraqi regime and the application of international sanctions on Iraq, Iraqi Airways was banned by the European Union in 1991.
Due to breaches of air safety regulations, the prohibition was reimposed in 2015 after being temporarily suspended in 2009.
The issue still persists despite several attempts by Iraq to get it lifted, which raises many concerns regarding the reasons behind the continued ban.
According to experts, the primary cause of Iraqi Airways’ ongoing European ban is the airline’s noncompliance with the safety regulations set out by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
In order to enable Iraqi Airways to meet international standards, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, ordered the adoption of a new administrative organizational structure during a meeting with a delegation from IATA earlier in November.
The spokesperson of the Iraqi Transport Ministry, Maitham Al-Safi, said that the ban imposed on Iraqi Airways’ access to European airspace since 2015 is a significant obstacle for the Iraqi aviation sector.
The company’s failure to comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the cause for this prohibition, according to Al-Safi.
Al-Safi clarified that the efforts made by the Iraqi government include an agreement signed with IATA to get the required certificates and the formation of a specialized committee to closely monitor the issue.
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