Iraqi Airways’ only Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has been out of service due to a technical issue.
The aircraft, registered as YI-ATC, has been inactive since it landed at Baghdad International Airport (BGW), Iraq on July 27, 2023, after completing a return journey from Istanbul Airport (IST).
According to Iraqi Airplanes, a Twitter account observing the latest developments with the airline, the Boeing 787-8’s brake system computer malfunctioned. It will be out of action for two weeks, while Boeing reportedly replaces the broken part.
Boeing delivered the 787-8 to the Iraqi carrier in June 2023, with the aircraft taking off on its first flight on May 9, 2023, according to ch-aviation.com data. Since arriving at BGW, the Dreamliner has operated flights to Dubai International Airport (DXB), Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY), Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Amman Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), and IST.
Iraqi Airways has deployed the aircraft solely on the route between BGW and IST, with the 787 being utilized for only two flights daily, averaging four hours and 24 minutes of flight time per day since July 23, 2023, according to an analysis of flightradar24.com data.
When the planemaker delivered the twin-aisle jet to Iraqi Airways, the airline’s director general Manaf Abdel-Monem said that it is “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,” Monem added.
Meanwhile, Omar Arekat, the vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for the Middle East at Boeing noted that the delivery marked “a new beginning for Iraqi Airways”.
“Boeing is committed to supporting Iraqi Airways’ ambition to bring greater optimization and new route possibilities to the region,” Arekat continued.
AeroTime approached Boeing for comment.
