A new escape from Iraq - if you're a Westerner (Expat Airways)

A new escape from Iraq - if you're a Westerner
By Mike Drummond

BAGHDAD — A new no-frills airline that begins weekly flights between Baghdad and Amman, Jordan, in August will only accept certain passengers - U.S. and Western citizens.

Iraqis, Indians, Pakistanis and other non-Westerners need not apply.

Expat Airways, looking to capitalize on the thousands of contract workers in Iraq, is believed to be the world’s only commercial airline to blacklist such a large swath of nationalities.

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Ashraf Mraish, managing director for Pro Group, based in Amman, said Jordan’s tight visa restrictions drove the decision to exclude non-Westerners. Refugees have overwhelmed Jordan, which has imposed strict entry requirements for Iraqis.

“It would cost us much more to accommodate non-Westerners,” Mraish said this week. “We hope this flight is a solution to make (contractors’) lives easier.”