Iraqi prime minister’s newish B737 in Tehran

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi arrives 20OCT14 at Mehrabad International Airport (THR) aboard Iraqi Airways Boeing 737-81Z(WL), reg. YI-ASF (cn 40105/4719).

Seen in background, YI-ASF is a recent build having been delivered by Boeing to Iraqi Airways on 17DEC13. Aircraft utilizes a VIP configuration of 75 seats.

Aircraft used by the previous prime minister: Iraqi Government Airbus A300B4-203, reg. YI-APX (cn 239). This ex-Mahan Air jet was provided as a gift from Iran to the Iraqi Government on 21JUL07.

Interestingly enough, Iraqi 8th-Day News on 13OCT14 cite unnamed sources close to the current prime minister's office in alleging that former Prime Minister Maliki (now a vice president) is refusing to transfer this aircraft over to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Sources go on to state the aircraft remains at Baghdad International Airport (BGW) "with a crew dedicated to the leadership of the Iranian plane."

The 8th-Day News report remains unverified. However, YI-APX is identified by ch-aviation as currently being stored at BGW.

Photos: Petr Volek, Islamic Republic News Agency and Mohammad Ali Marizad at Tasnim News Agency