Iraqi Airways to drop CRJs in favour of larger aircraft

Iraq's rapid growth could be leading Iraqi Airways to cancel its regional jet plans in order to buy bigger aircraft.

 The airline has been granted a $300 million interest-free loan to invest in new aircraft for a joint-venture airline start-up with Kuwait Airways (KIA). This follows a $500 million settlement with Kuwait over the long-running dispute for compensation over the theft of 10 KIA aircraft by Saddam Hussein’s regime in 1990.

The Kuwaitis are also believed to be investing $200 million in the start up.

Iraqi Airways already has six Bombardier CRJ jets but was widely expected to exercise an option to order four more for the start-up venture. The Iraqi government said this week that it has advised the Canadian manufacturer that it has postponed delivery “until further notice”.

It is understood that Boeing 737 Max and the A320 Neo aircraft are more likely to fit the requirement. However, Bombardier is believed to be responding with information about the C-Series to meet the new demand.

Article Source : Arabian Aerospace