Business Desk 
Dec 17, 2025
Iraq's aviation industry is rebounding after a prolonged hiatus, with a European passenger plane arriving in Baghdad for the first time in over three decades.
A flight operated by Greece's Aegean Airlines landed in Baghdad, marking a long-awaited reconnection with Europe's commercial aviation network, according to Iraq's Ministry of Transportation.
The landing at Baghdad International Airport demonstrates ongoing efforts to revitalise a sector that has languished since the early 1990s and shows rising trust in the nation's improved security situation.
Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, European airlines halted direct flights to Baghdad, resulting in years of isolation, strife, and sanctions.
By encouraging foreign investment and re-establishing international transportation connections, Iraq's government is actively fostering economic recovery. Authorities said that if passenger demand increases, more flights may be added to the recently opened Baghdad-Athens service, which will initially run twice a week.
Aegean Airlines began operating flights to Erbil earlier this year, which is often regarded as a more reliable entry point into the country.
The reintroduction of European flights to Baghdad International Airport shows cautious optimism for Iraq's aviation future and wider economic reintegration.
