BA has historically been the designated UK carrier to Iraq, operating into BGW as foreign airlines were not permitted by the Iraq Government to serve Basra. The route was never an easy one and did not make exciting profits as it suffered from serious peaking eastbound to Europe ( London and Paris the most popular destinations plus transit business to the USA) mid July to mid August followed by a similar return flow in the mid August to mid September (even the Iraqis didnt want to be in Iraq in mid summer with temperatures above 50C). Hence it was difficult to achieve much above a 50 % round trip load factor at the best of times. In addition there were constant difficulties/ very long delays in remitting money for tickets sold in Iraq. Virgins aspirations notwithstanding ,it is therefore reasonable that BA should have first bite at the cherry once it is possible to resume services. Even then profitability will be far from guaranteed.