Baghdad has been part of Emirates’ route network since 2011. Phil Weymouth / Bloomberg
Baghdad has been part of Emirates’ route network since 2011. Phil Weymouth / Bloomberg

Emirates to resume passenger flights to Baghdad



Emirates Airline will resume passenger flights to Baghdad on September 17 after suspending operations in January.

The Dubai carrier will operate with four weekly flights to Baghdad, served by an A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration.

“After conducting an exhaustive safety and security review, we have decided to restart services between Dubai and Baghdad. Commercial air transport has been one of the cornerstones of economic development for Iraq and we want to continue to support the development of economic opportunities in Baghdad by increasing access to international markets and inward investment,” said Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, the divisional senior vice president commercial operations, for the airline.

The General Civil Aviation Authority in January banned all flights to Baghdad after a flydubai passenger aircraft was subjected to small-arms fire as it landed in the Iraqi capital.

Etihad Airways, flydubai and Emirates also suspended flights to Erbil in March citing security concerns. Emirates and flydubai have since then restarted their schedules.

Baghdad has been part of Emirates’ route network since 2011. The airline operates four weekly services to Erbil and a double daily service to Basra.

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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

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-      Don’t do it more than once in three days

-      Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days

-      Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode

-      Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well

-      Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days

-      Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates

-      Manage your sleep

-      People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting

-      Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert

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