First North Charleston Boeing delivered to Iraqi Airways

Listen to this article

Iraqi Airways today celebrated the delivery of the airline's first South Carolina-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

It is the first of 10 Dreamliners on order by Iraqi Airways, according to a news release from Boeing, which said the airline wants the efficient widebody jet to profitably grow its long-haul network and connect the country to more international destinations.

The delivery of the flag carrier’s first 787 follows delivery of four Boeing 737 MAX airplanes since February, the news release said. The airline has ordered a total of six 737-8s and 10 737-10s, providing its single-aisle fleet with more capability across its regional and medium-haul routes.

“We are proud to be taking delivery of an airplane with the capabilities of the 787 Dreamliner,” Manaf Abdel-Monem, director general of Iraqi Airways said in the release “As domestic and international air traffic gains momentum, it’s crucial that our Iraqi Airways fleet matches growing demand with more efficient, capable and comfortable airplanes. The 787 and 737 MAX airplanes we have received are key to our fleet renewal program which aims to ensure we can fly our passengers around the world in the safety and comfort they expect from a modern and efficient airline like Iraqi Airways.”

Iraqi Airways currently serves more than 50 destinations from Baghdad and is expanding and renewing its fleet to support the anticipated increase in international business and leisure travel to and from the country. Iraq is seeing increased stability and economic growth, with the country’s annual gross domestic product growth rate expected to reach 7% by the end of 2023, the release stated. With global air traffic rebounding, Middle Eastern airlines are seeing more than a 40% traffic increase compared to last year.

“Today marks a new beginning for Iraqi Airways, taking delivery of its first 787 Dreamliner that will support the airline in connecting Iraq to the world,” Omar Arekat, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for the Middle East, said in the release. “Boeing is committed to supporting Iraqi Airways’ ambition to bring greater optimization and new route possibilities to the region.”

Related content: Boeing’s North Charleston planes selling faster than ever

Related content: Saudi royalty celebrates $37B deal with North Charleston visit

Related content: Boeing holding up North Charleston-built Dreamliner deliveries due to flaw

The 787-8 Dreamliner can fly 248 passengers up to 7,305 nautical miles in a typical two-class configuration, according to Boeing. Using 25% less fuel and creating 25% fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces, the 787 family has reduced more than 141 billion pounds of carbon emissions since entering service in 2011.

Boeing South Carolina is the home of the 787 Dreamliner, where crews fabricate, assemble and deliver the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 to customers all over the world. The North Charleston facilities are also home to Boeing Research & Technology, IT Center of Excellence, Propulsion Systems, Interior Responsibility Center and Engineering Design Center. The site has 300 suppliers across the state, according to the company website.