After more than two years on the ground, Fly Baghdad is flying again.
The privately owned Iraqi airline resumed commercial operations on 20 September 2026, operating its first returning service between Baghdad and Istanbul. The flight marked an important comeback for an airline whose future had appeared highly uncertain only a few years earlier.
From Expansion to Suspension
Fly Baghdad was established in 2014 and developed into one of Iraq’s better-known private airlines, connecting Baghdad with destinations across the Middle East and beyond.
That growth came to an abrupt halt in January 2024.
On 22 January 2024, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on Fly Baghdad. U.S. authorities alleged that the airline had provided material assistance to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps–Quds Force and associated groups.
Two Boeing 737 aircraft operated by the airline, YI-BAF and YI-BAN, were also designated as blocked property.
Following the sanctions and a decision by the Iraqi authorities, Fly Baghdad suspended its flights indefinitely. The airline effectively disappeared from Iraq’s commercial aviation market for more than two years.
Sanctions Lifted in 2026
The situation changed dramatically on 5 August 2026.
The United States removed Fly Baghdad from its sanctions list following an OFAC review. The two previously designated Boeing 737 aircraft were also removed from the list.
According to the U.S. Treasury, the delisting reflected changes in the airline’s behaviour and operations rather than a broader change in American policy toward Iran or the IRGC.
For Fly Baghdad, the decision removed one of the biggest obstacles preventing the airline from rebuilding its operations.
The carrier subsequently described the decision as the result of a two-year compliance transformation and announced plans to restore commercial services.
Fly Baghdad Returns: Baghdad–Istanbul
Just six weeks later, Fly Baghdad returned to the air.
On 20 September 2026, the airline operated its first commercial flight following the suspension, connecting Baghdad International Airport with Istanbul Airport.
The Istanbul route initially returned with two flights per week, on Sundays and Thursdays.
For Fly Baghdad, this was much more than the restoration of a single route. It was effectively the relaunch of the airline.
The company has indicated that additional destinations and further changes to its network are planned as operations gradually expand.
What Kind of Airline Is Fly Baghdad?
Fly Baghdad positions itself as an affordable Iraqi carrier aimed primarily at connecting Iraq with major regional and international cities.
Its main base is Baghdad, and the airline’s current website once again provides booking information, customer-service contacts and baggage rules.
International passengers currently receive a checked-baggage allowance of 25 kg and cabin baggage of up to 7 kg, according to the airline.
The company’s website also lists Baghdad–Erbil as a domestic connection, while the revived Istanbul route represents the beginning of its renewed international network.
A Remarkable Comeback
Airlines disappear surprisingly frequently.
Financial problems, wars, political instability, sanctions and aircraft shortages have ended the stories of hundreds of carriers. Once an airline stops operating for several years, a return is far from guaranteed.
That makes Fly Baghdad’s comeback particularly interesting.
In January 2024, the airline was sanctioned, its aircraft were blocked and its entire network was suspended. By September 2026, passengers were once again boarding a Fly Baghdad aircraft between Baghdad and Istanbul.
Whether the airline can rebuild the network it once operated remains to be seen. Restoring routes, aircraft, commercial partnerships and passenger confidence after more than two years away will not happen overnight.
But one thing is already clear:
Fly Baghdad is no longer simply a former Iraqi airline. The red bird is flying again.
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