Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Sunday with the committee tasked with lifting the European ban on Iraqi Airways.

Sudani reviewed the measures taken by the committee to lift the ban, which include developing Iraqi Airways, automating its operations, repairing and maintaining aircraft, and improving the capabilities of the company's staff and facilities.

Sudani emphasized the importance of complying with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

"Keeping pace with global developments in air transport for passengers and cargo is essential," he said, urging adherence to specified timelines to achieve these targets.

"Lifting the ban on Iraqi Airways is a matter of great importance to the government, and cannot be neglected," Sudani said, warning that legal actions would be taken against those failing to meet the requirements and follow up on the issue.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended the ban on Iraqi Airways for an additional six months, marking a decade of restrictions.

Maitham Al-Safi, Director of the Ministry of Transport's Media Office, stated that "the ministry has met 80 percent of the International Civil Aviation Organization's requirements for lifting the ban."

However, despite these efforts, EASA decided to maintain the ban following a recent meeting.

Since 2015, Iraqi Airways has been collaborating with the Civil Aviation Authority and Boeing to lift the ban, receiving substantial government support over the years.

In 2021 Hussein Jaleel, Foreign Relations Officer for Iraqi Airways, announced new initiatives to meet European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements. He expects receiving positive compliance reports by early next year.

Transport Minister Nasser Hussein Bandar al-Shibli discussed in 2022 aviation improvements with ICAO officials, emphasizing efforts to complete the USOAP program and to separate airport services from the aviation authority. The ICAO praised Iraq's progress and pledged support.