Iran Air Takes Delivery of 4 ATR 72-600s

Iran Air took ownership of its first four ATR 72-600s in Toulouse, France on Tuesday.

These are the first delivery out of a massive order the flag carrier placed mid-April with the Franco-Italian planemaker to purchase 20 turboprop regional aircraft, with the option of adding 20 more in the future. 

“These four planes will land in Iran tomorrow (Wednesday),” deputy minister of roads and urban development Asghar Fakhrieh-Kashan was quoted as saying ministry's news website. 

He said the planes will land in Athens to refuel and then will fly to Iran.

Farhad Parvaresh, Chief Executive Officer of Iran Air, said, “Our new fleet of ATR 72-600s showcases our will to provide newest generation aircraft to our customers, therefore ensuring comfort, reliability, and competitiveness.” 

“Strengthening the links between all our communities will encourage new business opportunities for everyone," ATR website quoted Parvaresh as saying on the sidelines of a ceremony held for delivery of the four planes.

Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, also said, "There are still historical moments in aviation, and this is one of them. We are proud and gratified that our ATR aircraft are providing the solution to Iran's significant needs in regional connectivity."

“As Iran's traveling public gains access to increased supply of air transportation, it will benefit from the highest standards of comfort, efficiency and reliability with the ATR´s we are delivering today and over the coming months,” he added.

Back in April, the flag carrier’s CEO Farhad Parvaresh said ATR will deliver nine ATR 72-600s in 2017 and the rest in 2018.

The ATR contract was signed after Iran Air signed deals with Airbus and Boeing to buy 180 jets from the two giants. So far, the Iranian company has received three new Airbus planes.