Kuwait eyes CRJs slated for Iraqi Airways

Kuwaiti government won an order in Quebec Superior Court allowing it to seize Iraq's stake in a fleet of 10 CRJ900s ordered in March, according to the The Gazette of Montreal. Bombardier's initial contract with Iraqi Airways, which is state-owned, was valued at $239 million. In April, Iraq converted six options, bringing the order's value to $498 million (ATWOnline, April 17). The first aircraft was scheduled to be delivered next month. The legal maneuvering is part of an ongoing effort by Kuwait Airways to gain reparations for aircraft destroyed when Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait during the 1990-91 Gulf War. A Bombardier spokesperson declined comment.