Fifth freedom routes are often intriguing. Imagine an airline operates A-B-C, where A is an airport in its own country. It will have fifth freedom traffic rights if it is permitted to carry passengers between airports B and C. It is distinct from a simple stop to refuel or change crew, as is undertaken by Ethiopian Airlines between Addis Ababa and North America, which would be the second freedom of the air.

There are many fifth freedom markets. And in the past few days, two more have been revealed, both of which will deploy the Boeing 737. Oman Air will operate from Muscat to Copenhagen via Baghdad, while Qantas will run from Sydney to Apia (Samoa) via Auckland.

Oman Air On Muscat-Baghdad-Copenhagen

Credit: GCMap

Until now, the oneworld member has not served the capitals of Iraq or Denmark from its Muscat hub. However, according to the carrier’s latest schedule update to Cirium Diio, that will change soon.

On December 16, it is due to inaugurate service on Muscat-Baghdad-Copenhagen and vice versa, with traffic rights between Baghdad and Copenhagen and back again. Passengers could book Copenhagen-Baghdad-Muscat or continue beyond the Omani capital. It’d be quite unusual and exciting to stop in the Iraqi capital, even if only briefly.

It’ll be Oman Air’s only one-stop service to Europe since 2016, and will cover 2,818 nautical miles (5,219 km) each way. Although currently only scheduled through March 28, it will be served twice-weekly on the Boeing 737-800. However, schedule analysis shows that the airline often files the 737-800 on particular European routes, but the 737 MAX 8 then operates. Thus, it’ll almost certainly be a MAX 8 route.

But, Is All As It Seems?

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According to booking data for the 12 months to September 2025, approximately 29,000 round-trip passengers flew between Baghdad and Copenhagen. Influenced by the significant Iraqi diaspora in Denmark, it was one of the largest European markets from the Iraqi capital. (In contrast, the Muscat-Copenhagen traffic was tiny.)

Iraqi Airways previously flew to Copenhagen, seemingly until 2024, stopping in either Erbil or Najaf en route. But various sources, including its website, Cirium, and Flightradar24, suggest that it no longer operates. Perhaps that is why Oman Air has added the route. (The barely discussed UR Airlines operates between Erbil and Copenhagen.)

Despite theoretically only starting six days (!) from the time of writing and the route recently being promoted on its homepage, flights are not bookable. Given the lack of time, this might mean it has been canned or delayed. The airline has been contacted for comment.

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Then There Is Qantas To Samoa…

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On December 8, Qantas revealed Sydney-Auckland-Apia flights. It’ll be the carrier’s second fifth freedom route involving Auckland, joining Sydney-Auckland-New York JFK. Despite having 40,000 or so annual passengers, Sydney-Apia has not had nonstop or one-stop service since 2023. In the past year, most people connected to another flight in Nadi, Brisbane, or Auckland.

Beginning on June 16, the new route to Samoa will cover 2,726 nautical miles (5,059 km) each way. It’ll be served three times a week on the 737-800. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, QF141 will depart from Sydney at 7:10 am and arrive in New Zealand at 12:20 pm local time. After a 70-minute turn, it’ll take off for Samoa, arriving at 6:20 pm local time.

After remaining overnight, QF144 will depart from Apia at 7:05, arriving in Auckland at 10:20 am. Oddly, it’s then due to depart for Sydney at 1:25 pm, arriving back in New South Wales at 3:10 pm local time. Given the long ground time in New Zealand, I’d not be surprised if the schedule changed, subject to slot availability.