Iraq transport minister orders probe, sanctions over Iraqi Airways mismanagement

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Minister of Transport, Wahba Salman Mohammed al-Hasani, issued a series of administrative decisions on Saturday concerning Iraqi Airways, ordering disciplinary action over the misuse of public funds. According to the ministry, the measures followed a report by a competent committee that identified files linked to the waste of state resources. The minister directed that the report be referred to the ministry's Central Investigation Committee, and that those found responsible for the losses be identified, with the findings passed to the Commission on Integrity. The ministry did not specify the size of the alleged losses or name any individuals under scrutiny. In a separate decision, the ministry established a special committee to review existing partnership contracts within the framework of Cabinet Council resolutions, aiming to increase the airline's revenues. The minister also ordered the creation of a joint commission between the ministry's headquarters and the company to prevent the incentive system from being exploited by senior executives for personal gain. Further details on the investigation, including the timeline for the committees' work and potential disciplinary measures, were not immediately available.