Etihad Airways has begun flights between Abu Dhabi and Basra in southern Iraq.
Flight EY553 took off from Abu Dhabi airport at 09.45 today and landed at Basra International Airport at 10.50.
The new A320 service, with 16 business class seats and 120 seats in economy, operates four times a week, offering a mix of morning and afternoon departures.
Basra marks Etihad's third destination in Iraq, after Erbil and Baghdad.
Etihad CEO James Hogan said Basra is an important industrial and transport hub but currently has limited access to air services.
“Our new flight will make a significant contribution to improving this situation for the people of the region,” he said.
Oil and gas represent the backbone of the local economy and major companies rotating staff in and out of Basra have expressed strong interest in the new flights.