LO/SK to fly to Basra
Based on the info below I was very surprised concerning the choice of European airlines who were given rights to operate to Basra. Why was the choice for LO and SK and not for any of the big ones...? What interest would LO/SK have to operate to the ME or are these just rumours/misleading info?
Qatar Airways to fly to Basra
Web posted at: 8/13/2003 2:59:41
Source ::: The Peninsula
DOHA: With Iraq’s Governing Council announcing yesterday its plan to re-open Basra International Airport by the month-end, national carrier Qatar Airways has said it is fully prepared to operate two weekly flights to the southern Iraq city starting next month.
“We are already prepared to fly not only to Basra, but Baghdad as well,” said a Qatar Airways spokeswoman yesterday. She said the airline’s CEO Akbar Al Baker had made it known publicly several times that the airline would be among the first to resume operations to Iraq. “We’ve had an office in Baghdad for the past two years. Once we have the necessary approvals in our hand, we’ll start operating regular commercial flights.”
According to reports from Baghdad, the Council yesterday granted permission for six airlines to fly passengers and cargo to and from Basra airport. The airlines are: Qatar Airways, Emirates, Royal Jordanian, Gulf Air, LOT Polish Airlines and SAS, the joint carrier of Sweden, Denmark and Norway.