Iraq reportedly to buy 40 Boeing aircraft worth $6 billion
"The ministry will sign in the nearest future a contract with the U.S. Boeing Co. to purchase 40 aircraft of different sizes to be added to the Iraqi Airways fleet," the paper quoted deputy transport minister, Bankin Rikani, as saying.
The national carrier will receive the new planes in 2013 and 2014, he said.
The Iraqi Airways is planning to open new routes between Baghdad and world capitals such as London, Frankfort, Manama, and Karachi, he added.
Earlier in July the national carrier said it would soon sign contracts to buy or lease six Airbus aircraft.
Iraqi Airways resumed flights after the U.S. invasion toppled Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003. The national carrier currently flies to several countries including Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to domestic flights.
Though Iraq was under a U.N. travel ban from 1990 until the U.S.-led invasion, the former Iraqi leader repeatedly defied the sanctions and allowed pilgrims to fly to the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah on their way to the holy city of Mecca.
Newspaper Web site: http://www.alsabaah.com/
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