Fancy a Spring Break in Iraq

[mcmbenjamin]

Looks like Austrain Airlines will be the first European and dare I said western airline to service Iraq on a scheduled basis. Maybe the next VF social? I bet they will have cheap intro fares and you could earn *A points/miles

[url=http://www.austrianairlines.co.at/eng/press/news/default.htm?artGuid={92B28D59-5664-4CB0-BE31-0C86BE52B8D4}]Austrain Airlines Press Release[/url]

{mcuth: topic moved to Airlines forum from News Bites, as it's not VS-related}

[preiffer]

I'm up for it [y]

But, I wonder...

Would it (rightly or wrongly) put your DHS record into any jeopardy when entering the US in future? I know on the face of it, it shouldn't, but you never can tell with those TSA monkeys...

I think there was one airline servicing Iraq - they flew out of Waddington Airport, in Lincolnshire. Can't remember their name.[:#]

I flew Austrian to Vienna. They were fine, but I still don't want to fly them to Iraq thank you very much.

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by preiffer
I'm up for it [y]

But, I wonder...

Would it (rightly or wrongly) put your DHS record into any jeopardy when entering the US in future? I know on the face of it, it shouldn't, but you never can tell with those TSA monkeys...

Mixed feelings but I would say 75 per cent that it would have no effect; maybe a question to see why the traveler went.

As some people on VF have said they are civilian defence contracters, maybe they could shed some light on this.

The Vienna Ð Erbil Ð Vienna schedule in detail


Flight days
Departure
Arrival

Thursday and Sunday
OS 829 dep Vienna 20.15
arr Erbil 02.00 next day

from 2 May Tuesday also
OS 829 dep Vienna 20.15
arr Erbil 02.00 next day

Monday and Friday
OS 830 dep Erbil 03.45
arr Vienna 05.50

from 3 May Wednesday also
OS 830 dep Erbil 03.45
arr Wien 05.50


Not the best times to be arriving into Iraq (Am i right in saying that the arrival time is 2 in the morning). I wonder how safe it would be to land in Erbil at night let alone in daylight

Have known about this for a few weeks now, as we are also in discussions with the same airport for Duty Free shops, and no I won't be going:D

Iain

Believe it or not the night flight is their for a reason.It is seen as the safest time to operate. I believe that the Royal Jordanian service also is a night flight and when VS operated cargo relief flights to Basra they too arrived/departed over night. I guess the authortiies that be have decided that its much safer at night.

As a side I remember reading an article that said- all night service into Iraq turn off all lights, including internal lights so that they can fly unnoticed. After its much harder to shot down a plane with no lights flying thru the pitch black than it is to shot one down in the daylight.

Originally posted by AerJohn
Not the best times to be arriving into Iraq (Am i right in saying that the arrival time is 2 in the morning). I wonder how safe it would be to land in Erbil at night let alone in daylight

Maybe they don't fancy leaving an expensive western aircraft on the ground during daylight. Maybe they land with the lights off (not just dimmed) and turn the runway light on at the last moment. [:?]

Phil

P.S. Just seen Wild's post - I thought I was joking [:0]

Originally posted by willd
I believe that the Royal Jordanian service also is a night flight and when VS operated cargo relief flights to Basra they too arrived/departed over night. I guess the authortiies that be have decided that its much safer at night.

I seem to remember video of the VS plane (G-VHOT) landing at Basra in the day time, complete with Iraqi pilot?

I think that a/c had to land with a military escort or something. I guess that the night flight is for safety and to stop crew overnighting in iraq