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Iraqi Airways to be closed following bankruptcy
Page last updated at 11:16 GMT, Wednesday, 26 May 2010 12:16 UK
Iraqi has blamed Kuwait for its flag-carrier's failure
Iraqi Airways planes at Baghdad international airport (image from 2003) Iraqi has blamed Kuwait for its flag-carrier's failure
The Iraqi government has said it will close the state-owned Iraqi Airways after declaring it bankrupt.
Iraq's transportation ministry told reporters the airline would be closed following a damaging dispute with Kuwait over war repatriations.
Kuwait Airways says the Iraqi flag carrier owes it about $1.2bn for aircraft and plane parts taken during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
The ministry blamed "harassment" from Kuwait for the airline's failure.
Earlier this month, an Iraqi Airlines plane was held in the UK following the first direct flight between Baghdad and London for 20 years.
Kuwaiti officials had tried to have the plane confiscated as part of its claim, and the airline's chief executive was also held in London.
Earlier this week, the airline said it would end flights to Europe and Sweden because of the efforts of Kuwait to seize the planes.
Iraqi Airways also operated services to several other destinations including Beirut, Tehran, and Dubai.
Page last updated at 11:16 GMT, Wednesday, 26 May 2010 12:16 UK
Iraqi has blamed Kuwait for its flag-carrier's failure
Iraqi Airways planes at Baghdad international airport (image from 2003) Iraqi has blamed Kuwait for its flag-carrier's failure
The Iraqi government has said it will close the state-owned Iraqi Airways after declaring it bankrupt.
Iraq's transportation ministry told reporters the airline would be closed following a damaging dispute with Kuwait over war repatriations.
Kuwait Airways says the Iraqi flag carrier owes it about $1.2bn for aircraft and plane parts taken during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
The ministry blamed "harassment" from Kuwait for the airline's failure.
Earlier this month, an Iraqi Airlines plane was held in the UK following the first direct flight between Baghdad and London for 20 years.
Kuwaiti officials had tried to have the plane confiscated as part of its claim, and the airline's chief executive was also held in London.
Earlier this week, the airline said it would end flights to Europe and Sweden because of the efforts of Kuwait to seize the planes.
Iraqi Airways also operated services to several other destinations including Beirut, Tehran, and Dubai.
