IRAQ has a new carrier, Ishtar Airlines, founded by a group of former Iraqi Airways pilots. Operating a Boeing 737-200 leased from Dolphin Aviation, a UAE-based company, the airline made its first flight on 1 April and initially is operating on a Thursday and Sunday from Dubai to Baghdad, and on a Saturday from Dubai to Arbil (Hawler) 200 miles further north in the Kurdish region. To date load factors have been in the 80% region. The airline plans to operate into Basra out of Dubai from June when that city”s airport is expected to open for commercial operations. An MD 83 is also being used for executive operations. Eden Travel is the exclusive agent in the UK.
http://www.ishtarairlines.com