Baghdad airport receives first European flight in 35 years

• Aegean Airlines lands in Baghdad, marking the first European commercial flight in 35 years.
• Iraq plans twice-weekly Baghdad–Athens service as part of a broader aviation reopening.

Baghdad International Airport on Tuesday welcomed the first European commercial aircraft to land in the Iraqi capital in 35 years, signaling a milestone in the country’s efforts to reopen its airspace and revive civil aviation.

A milestone landing

Iraq’s Ministry of Transport said a plane operated by Greece’s Aegean Airlines landed in Baghdad, ending a suspension of direct European commercial flights that dates back to the early 1990s.

In a statement, the ministry described the arrival as “a pivotal moment that marks a new phase of recovery and openness in Iraq’s air transport sector”.

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It said the flight makes Aegean Airlines, Greece’s national carrier, the first European airline to operate a commercial landing in Baghdad in more than three decades, “announcing Iraq’s return to the European aviation map”.

Regular flights planned

Two weekly flights will operate on the Baghdad–Athens–Baghdad route, with the possibility of increasing frequency based on demand, according to the ministry.

The Greek airline had already begun operating flights to Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, several months ago.

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Ministry of Transport spokesperson Maytham al-Safi told Agence France-Presse that “this is the first scheduled direct flight between Europe and Iraq in 35 years”, adding that Iraq is now experiencing “notable stability”.

Infrastructure and security upgrades

The ministry’s media office said the first European flight was the result of sustained efforts overseen by Transport Minister Razzaq Muhaibis al-Saadawi, following upgrades to operational, technical, and security requirements.

It said airport infrastructure across Iraq has been prepared in line with international standards applied at European airports.

Aegean Airlines operates a network spanning 162 global destinations and maintains a modern fleet of aircraft, according to the ministry.

Broader reopening push

European airlines halted direct flights to Baghdad in the early 1990s. In recent years, Iraqi authorities have sought to restore confidence in security and attract foreign investment to support economic recovery.

The ministry said the flight reflects “the success of Iraqi airports in restoring their regional and international presence” and reinforces Iraq’s position as “a viable hub for safe and regular air operations”, in line with government plans to develop civil aviation and reconnect the country with global air routes.