Civil aviation consultations were held recently between India and Iraq to discuss matters relating to operation of air services between their respective territories. The Indian delegation was led by Prashant Sukul, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Iraqi side was led by Ali K Ibrahim Director Air Traffic Services. 

Both sides can now designate multiple airlines for operations between the countries. Earlier there was provision for only one airline from each side. The designated airlines of each side will be entitled to operate up to a total of 12 frequencies per week in each direction, with any type of aircraft not exceeding the capacity of 250 seats. Earlier entitlements were restricted to two services per week. 

The designated airlines of India are now entitled to operate to Baghdad, Basrah, Al Najaf and one more point to be specified later. Reciprocally the designated airlines of Iraq can operate to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and one more point to be specified later. Earlier only one point of call was available for each side. 

Since the existing Air Services Agreement (ASA) was signed in 1955, the two sides agreed that it needs to be updated and modernised. Therefore the two sides exchanged their respective draft texts of Air Services Agreement to be finalised at a later stage. On the pending finalisation of a new ASA it was agreed that the existing agreement will be modified to incorporate therein new articles on safety, aviation security and cooperative marketing arrangements (code share).

The delegation of Iraq expressed interest in technical cooperation and training of their technical personnel to be conducted at the facilities available in India. The Indian side welcomed the proposal. It was agreed that the next meeting would be held within six months to finalise pending issues.