Flag carrier Qatar Airways plans to launch scheduled flights to two additional destinations in the Republic of Iraq from this summer.

Basra(from June 3) and Sulaymaniyah (from August 20) will be added to the airline’s Iraqi destinations, which includeBaghdad,Erbiland Najaf. Both destinations will be served four times a week, non-stop, from the carrier’s hub inDoha,Qatar. An Airbus A320, featuring 132 economy seats and 12 business class seats, will be used.

Qatar Airways’ CEO Akbar Al Baker commented: “After years of restricted air access for foreign airlines in many parts ofIraq, Qatar Airways has been working with the authorities to open up services and are delighted to have expanded our operations there in such a short space of time, doing our bit in the country’s rebuilding efforts.”