Iraqi Airways to start direct flights to Abu Dhabi: news agency

Iraqi Airways plans to start direct flights to the United Arab Emirates' capital Abu Dhabi on May 1, the state-run Iraqi News Agency reported on Sunday, citing a company statement. The annoucement came ahead of a visit on Sunday to Abu Dhabi by Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi as part of efforts to forge close ties with oil-rich Gulf Arab monarchies. Khadimi's visit to the UAE follows one to Saudi Arabia last week, during which Riyadh said it would increase investments in Iraq by five-fold to $2.67b.<br/>