Kuwait Airways to seek Iraq oil assets in theft row

State-backed Kuwait Airways will attempt to seize Iraqi oil assets in compensation for aircraft and equipment allegedly stolen during the first Gulf war, a lawyer for the firm said.

Christopher Gooding said the airline will seek to enforce a 2006 English Supreme Court ruling against Iraqi Airways when international legal protection of Iraqi oil assets expires on June 30.

“From the First of July, it’s open season,” he told Iraqoilreport.com. “We can enforce against any assets, including oil tankers and oil assets.”

Kuwait airlines claims the rival carrier stole $1.2bn worth of equipment during the 1990 war, including 10 commercial aircraft and aviation parts, the report said.

The United Nations mandate , which expires June 30, aimed to protect Iraq’s oil and financial assets from billions of dollars in claims stemming back to the rule of Saddam Hussein.

Kuwait Airways has pursued its claims against Iraq Airways in British and Canadian courts.

In 2008, the national Kuwaiti carrier won a case in a British court against Iraq and was awarded the equivalent of $84m.

In October last year, a ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada opened the door to allow Kuwait Airways to seize new planes being built by Bombardier Aerospace for Iraq Airways.

Bombardier became involved in the dispute after Iraq awarded the Montreal manufacturer two contracts for 10 CRJ-900 regional jets, worth about $400m.