For more than 35 years, western sanctions against Iran's aviation industry have forbidden the world's major aviation manufacturing companies to do business with Iran. However now, commercial aircraft seem to be finding their way into the country's dilapidated air fleet.
An American Boeing 757 commercial aircraft purchased from Tajikistan by Taban Air Company will be joining the Iranian civil air fleet within the next few days, Eghtesad news quoted managing director of the company, Reza Abdollahpour, as saying.
This is the second time such a plane is entering the country. Another Boeing 757 was purchased in the closing days of the past Iranian calendar year (ended March 20) and entered service the following day after Iran Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issued the required flight permits.
Earlier this month, head of ICAO, Alireza Jahangiri, said: “Aircraft manufacturers are earnestly working to forge interaction with Iran and not fall behind in the race once the situations are lifted.” He was referring to the anticipated thaw in Iran-West relations after recent nuclear talks held between Iran and P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) lead to a framework agreement on April 2.
The official added that, Iranian airlines are currently operating with a fleet of about 140 aircrafts, which is much lower than average international norms based on international indexes of population and area.
“Over the past months, several aircraft manufactures have repeatedly travelled to Iran and held negotiations with the airlines and ICAO to assess the domestic market,” he noted. Also, according to Reuters, over the past months the world's biggest aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, along with engine maker, General Electric Company (GE), have entered business with Iran.
Following the implementation of the Geneva interim agreement on Iran's nuclear energy program as of January 20, 2014, world powers were bound to license the supply and installation of spare parts for safety of flight for Iranian civil aviation and associated services.
Eventually, United States Department of Treasury (DoT) allowed GE and Boeing to start selling spare parts to Iran.
According to Spokesperson of GE, Rick Kennedy, DoT gave them permission to overhaul 18 airplane engines sold to Iran in the late 1970s. He added that the license covered only the components needed to ensure continued safe flight operations of older Boeing planes sold to Iran before the Islamic Revolution. The permit, however, did not allow any discussions of new aircraft sales to Iran.
Boeing later confirmed it had sold aircraft-related goods to Iran Air Company in the third quarter of 2014. Aircraft manuals, drawings, navigation charts, and data were purchased by Iran Air to help improve the safety of Iran's civil aviation industry and generated $120,000 in gross revenues for Boeing.
The deal did not include spare parts for aircrafts, which was thought to be likely since Iran Air's fleet of planes included vintage Boeing and Airbus jetliners delivered as long ago as 1978.
Boeing said it might sell parts in the future but refused to comment further; nonetheless, head of Iran's Zagros Airlines, Abdol-Reza Mousavi later confirmed they have purchased a variety of spare parts and navigation systems directly from Boeing, ILNA reported.
According to Iranian officials, the country needs some 300 commercial aircrafts to renovate its civil air fleet.
