Austrian Airlines to start Iraq service

Austrian flag carrier Austrian Airlines said today that it would start flying scheduled flights to the northern Iraqi city of Erbil twice a week, starting December 11. According to the airline, the city is the 4th largest in Iraq and it is a logical new destination for its extensive Middle Eastern network - the airline claims that it is 'already the number three carrier in Europe when measured by services into the Middle East'.

The flights are on Mondays and Fridays with an Airbus A319 from Vienna to Erbil and back (flights 829 and 830).