Iraq and Ukraine open direct flights between Baghdad – Kiev

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The governments of Iraq and Ukraine recently signed an agreement to launch direct flights, operated by Iraqi Airways between the capitals of both countries.

The establishment of direct flights between Baghdad and Kiev was revealed at a ceremony held in Kiev, with officials from both sides, including Iraqi Ambassador to Ukraine, Bakr Ahmed al-Jaff, and Ukrainian Ambassador to Iraq, Victor Nidbas, in attendance, according to an Iraqi Foreign Ministry’s statement released on Monday.

The launch of direct flights between Iraq and Ukraine is an important milestone which marks a new stage in the development of diplomatic ties and economic cooperation between the two nations, Jaff said.

He noted that the implementation of the new flight route would not have been possible without the efforts of the Iraqi Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Transport on the one hand, and the Ukrainian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Infrastructure on the other. The embassies in Baghdad and Kiev also played a significant role.

“This step will help facilitate the exchange of visits between official delegations and will ease the burden of travel for Iraqi students studying in Ukrainian institutes and universities. It will kickstart the tourism industry, as well as attract businessmen and investors, and under the direction of the Iraqi government, accelerate the process of reconstruction in liberated areas,” the Iraqi Ambassador added.

It is unclear if the direct flights are currently available as the Iraqi Airways website has yet to add Kiev as a destination. 

The Ukrainian government is planning to open an honorary consulate in the northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq in the coming months, according to Kurdish and Ukrainian officials.

Editing by Nadia Riva