Qatar Airways starts humanitarian flights into Iraq

Qatar Airways today started regular humanitarian flights into the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight - led by Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Mr Akbar Al Baker - was carrying urgent humanitarian aid into Basra from charity organisations in Qatar.

Also on board were representatives of key Qatari charity organisations and media.

Flight QR476 left Doha International Airport at 7.10 am and arrived in Basra at 9.30 am local time. The A320 aircraft was on the ground for an hour while the humanitarian aid was unloaded, before returning to Doha.

"Qatar Airways will operate regular humanitarian services into Iraq," said Mr Al Baker.

"The State of Qatar is keen to re-establish the very positive links that have united the people of Qatar and Iraq.

"These regular humanitarian flights to Basra will serve as the bridge between our two countries.

"Unfortunately commercial services into Basra are not possible because the airport is not ready to adequately handle the normal logistical and security issues associated with commercial services.

"We are still expecting that Qatar Airways will be one of the first airlines to operate commercial services into Basra and Baghdad," said Mr Al Baker.