Two decades of court wranglings

A timetable of the legal battle between Kuwait Airways and the Republic of Iraq:

August 2, 1990: The Iraq military invades and occupies Kuwait on the orders of Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council then adopts resolutions proclaiming the sovereignty of Iraq over Kuwait and its annexation to Iraq.

August 9, 1990: Nine aircraft owned by Kuwait Airways are taken to Basra. A 10th aircraft under repair at the time of the Iraqi invasion is flown directly to Baghdad two weeks later.

September 17, 1990: The council adopts a resolution dissolving Kuwait Airways Corporation and transferring all of its property worldwide, including the 10 aircraft, to the state-owned Iraqi Airways Company.

January 11, 1991: Kuwait Airways sues the Republic of Iraq in UK courts, demanding the return of its 10 aircraft, or payment of their value, plus damages.

January 16, 1991: A UN military coalition attacks Iraq, following the expiration of the UN security council's deadline for Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait. Four of the 10 Kuwaiti aircraft are sent to Mosul, where they are destroyed in bombing attacks, while the other six are moved to Iran.

July 1991: The Kuwait Insurance Company, along with several other local insurance firm, reimburses Kuwait Airways with a US$300 million (Dh1.1 billion) payment, the maximum liability under the insurance contract. Kuwait Airways says it is not satisfied with this resolution and commences proceedings in the UK Commercial Court.

March 20, 2003: A US-led coalition launches military action against Iraq and subsequently overthrows Saddam's regime.

June 4, 2005:Iraqi Airways operates its first domestic flight, from Baghdad to Basra, since the fall of the regime. The airline resumes several international routes soon after.

March 13, 2008: The Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier announces the Iraqi government has ordered six aircraft with options on an additional four.

July 16, 2008: The latest in a series of judgments is issued by the UK's High Court of Justice, ordering Iraqi Airways to more than $1bn to Kuwait Airways and ordering the State of Iraq to pay $80m in costs .

August 30, 2008: The Quebec Superior Court grants Kuwait Airways an order preventing the delivery of the Bombardier aircraft.

2009: Alnaser Airlines, a private airline, launches in Iraq.

April 25, 2010:Iraqi Airways launches flights to London Gatwick airport. When the first flight lands in London, the airline's director general, Kifah Hassan, has his documents and passports seized.

May 7, 2010:Mr Hassan's passport is released and he is given permission to go home, and 200 Iraqi Airways employees demonstrate in Iraq following the event.

May 26, 2010: Iraq's transport minister, Amer Abdul Jabbar, says the cabinet decides to dissolve the company and pursue private options to avoid asset claims made by Kuwait.

October 21, 2010: The Supreme Court of Canada rules in a unanimous decision that Iraq cannot rely on state immunity to stop Kuwait from trying to seize Iraqi assets in Canada, including Bombardier aircraft.

January 22, 2011: Iraqi Airways continues to operate daily operations in most Middle Eastern countries.

* News agencies, Supreme Court of Canada, UK House of Llords