IRAQ: Cabinet Raises Funding for Iraqi Airways Boeing Aircraft Purchase
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraq's cabinet has approved a higher cost for the second phase of its aircraft purchase project and the 2026 payment due to Boeing. It also ordered a KBR review of Iraqi Airways and an assessment of the carrier's grounded aircraft.
BAGHDAD, Iraq
- Iraq's Council of Ministers approved an increase in the cost of the second phase of the government's aircraft purchase project at its 26th regular session on the evening of Tuesday, 3 November 2026, chaired by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Shafaq News reported, citing a statement from the Prime Minister's media office. CNBC Arabia reported the same decision.
- The cabinet also approved payment of the instalment due to Boeing for 2026, funded by increasing the Ministry of Transport's current annual allocations. The statement did not give the value of the cost increase or the payment, or the number or types of aircraft covered.
- The cabinet tasked the engineering and consulting firm KBR with studying the condition of national carrier Iraqi Airways (IA/IAW) and submitting proposals to improve its performance.
- It also formed a joint committee of the Ministries of Finance and Transport to assess the airline's grounded aircraft and examine whether they can be returned to use. The committee is to submit its recommendations, for decision, to the Prime Minister within a set period, which the statement did not specify.
- In a separate decision, the cabinet authorised the Minister of Planning to negotiate and sign the financing agreement for a project titled "A Secure Future and Safe Mobility for All". The statement did not say whether it relates to aviation.
- Boeing's Orders and Deliveries data lists 17 unfilled Boeing orders for the Republic of Iraq: 10 Boeing 737 MAX from an order placed in October 2017, and two Boeing 787-8s and five Boeing 787-9s from an order placed in December 2009.
- Against those orders, Boeing has delivered six 737 MAX and two 787-8s, all in 2023. It has also delivered 14 Boeing 737-800s between 2013 and 2017 from an April 2008 order, and one Boeing 777-200LR in 2012.
- In December 2025, Ministry of Transport spokesman Maitham al-Safi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the Boeing contract covers 16 Boeing 737 MAX, of which six had been delivered, and 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, of which two had been delivered. That implies eight 787s outstanding, one more than the seven shown in Boeing's data.
- Al-Safi said the remaining aircraft would arrive in stages under the existing contracts, starting in early 2027, and that there were no new contracts. He added that all five Airbus A220s ordered for Iraqi Airways had been delivered.
- When Boeing delivered Iraqi Airways' first 787 in June 2023, it said the airline had ordered six 737-8s, 10 737-10s, and 10 787s. Boeing's Orders and Deliveries data does not break down the 10 undelivered 737 MAX by variant, but the six delivered so far are 737-8s, so the outstanding aircraft appear to be 737-10s.
- Iraqi News, citing INA, reported that the ministry said Iraqi Airways owns 39 aircraft and has returned 14 of 24 grounded aircraft to service.
- Planespotters.net lists 41 aircraft in the Iraqi Airways fleet as of 4 November 2026, with an average age of 10.8 years. Of these, 18 are shown as in service and 23 as parked.
- The Boeing fleet comprises 21 Boeing 737s (one 737-700, 14 737-800s, and six 737 MAX 8s), of which 12 are in service and nine are parked, plus one Boeing 777-200 and two Boeing 787-8s, all in service.
- The airline also has six Bombardier CRJ-900s, three in service and three parked.
- All 11 Airbus aircraft are listed as parked: five A220-300s, three A320-200s, two A321-200s, and one A330-200.
- Iraqi Airways has been contacted for comment.
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