Bahrain to sign air pact with Iraq

Bahrain is on the verge of signing an air transportation agreement with Iraq that will lead to the introduction of direct flights between the states. A high-level delegation of Iraqi civil aviation officials will travel to Manama in March to finalise the deal, Iraqi Embassy deputy head of mission Ahmed Agha said in Bahrain on Wednesday.

Agha said the deal would help thousands of pilgrims who make annual trips to Najaf and Karbala from Bahrain. "It will cut the costs for passengers, who now have to go via Dubai and other places," he said. "The demand is huge now and this agreement will encourage more people to come to Iraq."

"Traders and business delegations from Iraq use Oman, Jordan and Dubai as their transit point. Why not make Bahrain that focal point for travellers?" Agha asked, saying that airlines such as Gulf Air and Bahrain Air were keen to introduce Iraq flights.

Agha, who has been personally working on the transport agreement for around two years, said it was vital the deal was concluded quickly. "Any delay is a loss of money for Bahrain and Iraq," he said.