Aegean Airlines has officially inaugurated a direct route between Athens and Baghdad, ending a 35-year absence of European commercial aviation in the city.
Iraq’s Ministry of Transport said the arrival represents “Iraq’s return to the European aviation map” and ushers in “a new phase of recovery for Iraq’s aviation sector” after decades of conflict, isolation, and suspended international connectivity.
While international carriers previously avoided the capital due to instability, the establishment of this scheduled service—operating twice per week—demonstrates growing confidence in Iraq’s modernized infrastructure and regional stability.
The Baghdad flight follows Aegean Airlines’ earlier expansion into Iraq. Earlier this year, the Greek carrier launched services to Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region, which has long promoted itself as a comparatively stable gateway for business, energy investment, and tourism.
Aegean Airlines: From domestic pioneer to regional leader
Since its first commercial flights in 1999, Aegean Airlines has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once a niche domestic competitor, it is now Greece’s largest carrier and a cornerstone of the Eastern Mediterranean’s aviation network.
A pivotal moment in Aegean’s history was the 2013 acquisition of the historic Olympic Air. This move allowed Aegean to consolidate the Greek market, creating a dominant hub in Athens and ensuring seamless connectivity between the Greek islands and major international centers.
A member of Star Alliance since 2010, the airline has consistently been recognized for its service quality. It has won the Skytrax World Airline Award for “Best Regional Airline in Europe” 14 times as of 2025, a testament to its “full-service” philosophy in an era dominated by low-cost carriers.
The Baghdad route is part of a broader “extrovert” strategy as the company has invested heavily in a next-generation fleet, including a major order of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft. Recently, Aegean expanded its reach into the Middle East and Central Asia—including destinations like Erbil and Baku—and has begun utilizing long-range A321neo XLR aircraft to explore markets as far as India.
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