The first flight in 20 years serving Baghdad direct from London will leave Gatwick at 11am this morning.
For the first time since 1990, when flights were grounded due to the Gulf War, Iraqi Airways is flying passengers between Baghdad and London.
Iraqi Airways operates a twice weekly service between the UK and Iraq.
Flight IA237 leaves Baghdad International Airport at 3pm local time on Friday and Sunday, arriving into Gatwick at 11.10pm.
The inbound flight stops at Malmo in Sweden for security checks.
Flight IA238 leaves Gatwick at 11am, arriving into Baghdad at 7pm.
The outbound flight also stops at Malmo, for refuelling.
The airline operates a two class service, economy and business, with 148 seats on board.
www.iraqiairways.co.uk/en/main.asp