Kuwait Airways and Iraqi Airways face brighter future following settlement of long-running dispute

In a landmark development for their national carriers, Kuwait and Iraq have reached an agreement to the long running dispute over Iraqi Airways' debts to Kuwait Airways. The USD500 million settlement ends a conflict which has plagued the development of both airlines and also paves the way for the development of a joint Iraqi-Kuwaiti airline venture.

The two countries have initialled a final settlement agreement, under which Iraq agreed to pay Kuwait USD300 million in reparations over the destruction and seizure of Kuwait Airways assets during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. In addition, Iraq pledged to provide another USD200 million for a joint airline venture between the two nations. The funds for the joint venture will be paid in 1H2013. It is not yet clear what the new joint venture carrier will look like or what roles Kuwait Airways and Iraqi Airways will play in its establishment.