According to a statement, Jabar is considering the idea, after meeting the Turkish ambassador in Baghdad and an accompanying delegation. Turkey does not currently permit Iraqi planes to land at its airports but Baghdad is keen to expand the Iraqi Airways network to include its northern neighbour.

"The minister voiced his ministry's readiness to rent out Turkish civilian aircraft to work for the Iraqi airlines," says the statement.

"This will avoid the decision of the Turkish authorities not to allow the Iraqi planes to land at their airports.”

Jabar also discussed connecting the two countries by rail, and urged Ankara to present an integrated plan on the Turkish railway network and a cross-border link.