EgyptAir to Return to Iraqi Market

Posted 08/06/2011

EgyptAir is to resume services to Iraq over 20 years since it last operated flights into the country.  The airline is to offer a four times weekly link between its Cairo base and Baghdad alongside, a three times weekly flight to Erbil.  These flights are due to commence on July 16 and July 18 respectively and will enable the airline to take advantage of the growing trade in and out of Iraq as its recovery continues.  The Star Alliance member will also look to offer onward connections from Cairo International Airport to destinations across the Middle East, Europe and even as far afield as North America. 

EgyptAir officials have been studying the Iraqi market for a number of years and had revealed as long ago as 2003 that it would resume flights to the country when the times was right for the carrier.  Baghdad currently has regular links to nine destinations including key trade routes to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Beirut and Istanbul by Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Middle East Airlines and Turkish Airlines (THY) respectively.  Erbil, in the north of the country, has links to 14 destinations including a wider network of cities in Europe.  An estimated 9,000 O&D passengers travelled between Cairo and Iraq in the past year despite no direct flights.

Schedule:

Cairo – Baghdad
MS625 CAI0815 – 1145BGW 320 x257
MS626 BGW1245 – 1430CAI 320 x257

Cairo – Erbil
MS635 CAI2315 – 0245+1EBL 320 145
MS636 EBL0345 – 0545CAI 320 256

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