Iraqi Airways operates special charter flight to Manila for World Cup qualifiers

Dirk Andrei Salcedo6 months Ago1 Mins read128

Iraqi Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Manila. (Photo by Bobby Gila)

An Iraqi Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registration YI-ATC, touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, Philippines, on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 7:58 PM local time.

The aircraft, operating as flight IA-1987, originated from Basra International Airport in Iraq and completed the 9-hour and 31-minute journey to transport members of the Iraqi national football team.

The Iraqi squad’s arrival in Manila is in preparation for their upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match against the Philippine national team, scheduled for March 26 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Iraqi Airways, the national carrier of Iraq, operated the chartered service to facilitate the team’s travel. With this chartered flight, it was the first time that an Iraqi Boeing 787 landed in Manila.

The Baghdad-based airline boasts a diverse fleet of 42 aircraft, comprising various models from Airbus, Boeing, and Bombardier.

The airline’s lineup includes the Airbus A220, A320, A321, and A330 families, as well as the Boeing 737, 777, and 787 Dreamliner. Additionally, they operate the Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jet.

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Dirk Andrei Salcedo

An aviation enthusiast turned creator of the top aviation news portal in the Philippines, Dirk has a deep passion for everything that flies. When he's not keeping his finger on the pulse of the industry, he also volunteers with a major humanitarian organization, impacting people on the ground and in the sky.