Russia and Iraq restored scheduled commercial airline services on Sunday for the first time since 2004, in what officials hailed as a sign of stability returning to the war-torn country.
An Iraqi Airways plane left Baghdad at 10.31 am (0731 GMT) and was expected to arrive at Moscow's Vnukovo airport at 2.19 pm (1119 GMT), according to the Russian airport's online departure and arrival timetables.
"The first commercial flight arrives today," Sergei Izvolsky, spokesman for Russia's civil aviation authority, told AFP.
"It is a signal on the part of the Iraqi authorities that Russian nationals can safely visit Iraq."
The two countries may also later agree on air travel to the Iraqi city of Basra, Izvolsky said.
Russia suspended regular flights to Iraq in 2004 after the US-led invasion in 2003 plunged the Arab country into war.
GMT 16:40 2018 Friday ,26 October
Over 200 flights canceled and postponed in Brussels airportGMT 22:38 2017 Sunday ,17 December
Hotels and Bolshoi evacuatedGMT 22:31 2017 Sunday ,17 December
Flights between Russia &Egypt to resumeGMT 15:40 2017 Saturday ,16 December
Flights between Russia &Egypt to resumeGMT 08:54 2017 Tuesday ,12 September
Moscow unveils $240m parkMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor