Baghdad - Turkish Airlines is to commence flights to Baghdad on October 26, media reports said Sunday.

"A delegation from Turkish Airlines visited Baghdad to evaluate the security situation in the country in order to re-open Turkish Airlines in Baghdad," Iraqi governmental newspaper al-Sabah reported, quoting an Iraqi Transport Ministry official.

"The first Turkish aircraft will land at Baghdad's airport on October 26," the official said.

The Iraqi Ministry of Transportation would operate flights to Turkey after renting new aircraft, he said.

Baghdad has regular flights to Syria and Jordan and non-regular flights to the United States, Europe, the Gulf states and Iran. (dpa)