Iraqi Airways is inviting bids from European operators to conduct services on its behalf to European destinations.

Iraqi Airways is inviting bids from European operators to conduct services on its behalf to European destinations.

The Baghdad-based flag carrier says it is looking for wet-lease offers, or "viable" alternative proposals, to serve a schedule to European cities under its traffic rights.

Iraqi Airways is prohibited from operating within European Union airspace, having been individually blacklisted four years ago.

The airline says any candidates must be European-registered and hold a valid European air operator's certificate.

"Applications shall only be entertained from airlines operating the most modern aircraft fleets," it states, indicating that the average fleet age should not exceed six years. Aircraft should also have a two-class configuration including a business-class cabin.

There must also be "reasonable" time intervals remaining before major maintenance checks, the carrier adds, while training should be provided to qualify Iraqi Airways crews to European Union Aviation Safety Agency standards.