DUBAI, UAE - Iraq’s Transport Ministry said Saturday it is making “major progress” toward lifting the European Union’s ban on Iraqi Airways and is preparing to open new aviation projects by the end of the year and early 2026.

Ministry spokesperson Maytham al-Safi told state media that the country is close to completing International Air Transport Association (IOSA) requirements by the end of 2025, a key step before advancing to the European Aviation Safety Agency’s Third Country Operators (TCO) certification, a process that would allow Iraqi Airways to reenter European airspace after years of restrictions.

Safi said the ministry has “significantly advanced” technical and regulatory files tied to the EU ban and is simultaneously working on expanding international destinations in anticipation of regained access to European skies.

He added that Iraq recently received its third batch of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, part of a fleet expansion that aims to reach 31 modern planes by 2027. All grounded aircraft are scheduled to return to service in 2025.

The ministry is also opening new operational facilities, sales offices in multiple capitals, and upgraded service lounges at regional airports to support broader international operations.

Safi said the aviation upgrades are part of a wider strategy to strengthen non-oil revenues and position Iraq as a growing regional hub for business travelers, tourists, and connecting passengers once the EU ban is lifted.

Iraqi Airways has faced a persistent European Union ban for nearly a decade, after being re-listed in the EU Air Safety List in 2015 due to non-compliance with international aviation safety standards set by global regulators, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The decision followed several earlier attempts by Iraq to address technical and regulatory shortcomings and restore the carrier’s access to European skies.

The roots of the restriction date back to 1991, when the airline was first barred in the aftermath of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent international sanctions.

Although the ban was briefly lifted in 2009, it was reimposed in 2015, and despite repeated efforts since then, Iraq has struggled to fully meet the required benchmarks, leaving the EU ban in place and raising continued questions about the underlying causes for its longevity.