Page 18 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2016 Online Magazine

FEATURE IRAN AVIATION

TOP: Iranian President Hassan
Rouhani, commemorating the 55th
anniversary of foundation of Iran Air in
February declared, “Homa (symbol of
Iran Air) and the aviation fleet should
turn into a big power in the field of
transportation of passengers and
cargo, and it will come true soon
BOTTOm: Iran Air, which currently
serves 27 domestic and 29
international routes, is likely to need
more aircraft as it rolls out a 10-year
plan aimed at moving from survival
mode to expansion
OPPOSITE BOTTOm: Iran Air has
signed a deal with ATR for 40 ATR 72-
600s, comprising of firm orders for 20
aircraft plus 20 options, valued at a
billion Euro

outstanding operational flexibility of the
ATR 72-600s.”
Iran has also ordered 50 planes from
Brazil’s Embraer, the world’s third biggest
commercial aircraft manufacturer through a
hire purchase contract.
Iran Air said it is also open to buying
aircraft from Boeing despite ordering 118
jetliners worth US$27 billion from competing
planemaker Airbus
Boeing is “lagging behind a bit” and might
have acted faster given that the U.S. Treasury,
which plays a key role in policing trade
barriers, could have granted an export license
via its Office of Foreign Asset Control, Iran Air
Chief Executive Officer Farhad Parvaresh said
in an interview to Gulf News.
“We always thought the 737 for the
domestic market is a good option, but they
have a rival with the A320,” Parvaresh was
Aseman Airlines, Mahan Air, Meraj Airlines, 40 newest generation ATR 72-600s. The quoted by the paper.
Qeshm Airlines, Taban Airline and Zagros agreement includes firm orders for 20 Iran Air, which currently serves 27 domestic
Airlines. aircraft plus 20 options, and is valued at one and 29 international routes, is likely to need
Airbus is also trying to hard-sell its A350 billion euro. more aircraft as it rolls out a 10-year plan aimed
wide-body passenger jet. The aircraft made a The deal marks the arrival of the newest at moving from survival mode to expansion. The
symbolic first landing in February in Tehran, generation ATRs in Iran, where the first company plans to tap a national market of 80
nearly a month after the manufacturer aircraft have been operating since 1992. million people and global Persian diaspora of
signed a deal with the country. An elated Patrick de Castelbajac, Chief about 10 million, as well as the anticipated influx
The modernization of Iran’s aviation Executive Officer of ATR, said, “We are in business visitors.
industry also requires the purchase of 160 honored to take part in this new era in Iran The airline is looking at adding routes
regional aircraft and the upgrade of dozens by providing the national airline with aircraft to markets including Canada, Australia and
of airports, according to Iran Civil Aviation that will strongly contribute to reinforce Singapore once it gets the wide-bodies to
Organization CEO Ali Abedzadeh. and boost regional transportation across make those flights, Parvaresh said. It also
Apparently towards this, Iran Air also the country. We are pleased to offer to the wants to reinstate destinations such as
signed a deal with world’s leading turboprop passengers of Iran Air the highest standards Tokyo and Seoul that were halted under
manufacturer ATR for the introduction of of comfort and reliability, as well as the sanctions.
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