Qatar Airways Plans Twice-Weekly Flights

For the first time in 12 years, commercial flights from outside Iraq will land and take off from Basra. QA's CEO, Akbar Al Baker, is scheduled to ride the inaugural flight on Monday.

Flight QR476 will carry much-needed humanitarian aid to the southern Iraqi city.

“Qatar Airways will be the first airline in 12 years to operate commercial airline services into Iraq when it lands its A320 in Basra on Tuesday,” said Al Baker. “On behalf of the people of Qatar, it will be a great honor to deliver aid to the people of Iraq and reaffirm the brotherhood that exists between the two countries."

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Qatar, home of the US-led coalition forces that invaded Iraq in March, is anxious to be seen supporting a fellow Islamic nation. “I know that Qatar is looking forward to re-establishing the very positive historical and commercial links that have existed with the people of Iraq for many years," said Al Baker, quoted in the Times of Oman.

"Tuesday’s aid flight and Qatar Airways’ new commercial service into Basra represent the first step in a journey that will see us rebuild the strong ties that have existed between our peoples. Our services to Basra will operate twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday, leaving Doha at 7:10 a.m. and arriving Basra at 9:30 a.m., while flight QR477 will leave Basra at 10:45 a.m. arriving Doha International at 11:10 a.m. We initially expect the flights to Basra will serve the international aid community."

FMI: www.qatarairways.com/home.html