Delivered thrice! In one day, Iraqi Airlines adds three Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
The Iraqi carrier’s fleet will now consist of four 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Three Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft took off from Seattle Boeing Field sequentially on March 24. (BFI). The three aircraft flew to Baghdad International Airport (BGW), which could be their future base of operations with Iraqi Airways (as the airline has multiple bases).
The beginning of this year has been wonderful for the airline. With its first 737 MAX arriving in February and its first Boeing 787 recently leaving the assembly line, the carrier has been taking receipt of an increasing number of next-generation aircraft.
Flight and aircraft information
The three Boeing 737 MAX 8s delivered to Iraqi Airlines have the following registrations, per BOE Family Flights: “YI-ASX” (MSN 65406/8538)
ASN: YI-ASN (MSN: 65410/8529)
ASMYI-YI (MSN 65409/8516)
Prior to taking out for delivery, each of the three aircraft completed between three and four test flights, totaling five and eight hours.
Despite a significant increase in range over earlier generations, Boeing facilities cannot be reached in the Middle East in a single flight using these next-generation narrowbodies. Two legs were needed in this instance, which is still really great!
The jets made their first trip from Boeing Field to Iceland’s Keflavik Airport with their most recent delivery to Iraqi Airlines. Early on March 25th, all of the aircraft landed within a 30-minute time frame and refueled rapidly before continuing their flight to Iraq.
The planes are still traveling to Baghdad as of the time this news was published, flying over Europe. They are expected to arrive between 13:13 and 13:24 local time.
for Iraqi Airlines, a significant year
For Iraqi Airlines, this is an exciting time as it receives more brand-new, cutting-edge aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing. Even though the company’s first two Airbus A220-300 aircraft arrived in late 2021, many more are anticipated to arrive this year.
In December 2022, the carrier ordered its third A220, and the fourth came the following month. The airline debuted its first 737 MAX in February, and with this most recent delivery, it will receive its second, third, and fourth of the same type of aircraft.
The carrier’s first Boeing 787-8 widebody was observed at Boeing facilities in Charleston in mid-March. Although no known test flights of the aircraft have been made, according to BOE Family Flights, it might be some time before the airframe arrives in the Middle East. Nine 787-8s and one -9 are anticipated for Iraqi Airlines.
