Plane ticket prices have seen an average decline of 13% starting Nov. 22, compared with June rates, as per the directive issued by the High Council of Iran’s National Airlines.
“The amount of decline in ticket prices for different flight routes differs, but they range from 2% to 33%. Yet, prices will still be floated, depending on factors that impact air transportation expenses. Prices are not going to be fixed,” Secretary-General of Airline Companies Association Maqsoud Asadi-Samani was also quoted as saying by IRNA.
In summer, Iranian airline companies increased ticket prices by 40%, citing social distancing measures and other Covid-19 protocols for losses to their business.
Asadi-Samani told Fars News Agency that although free market rates will determine plane ticket prices, there are price ceilings for different flights from which airlines may not exceed.
Minister of Roads and Urban Development Rostam Qasemi says no airline is allowed to sell tickets at rates more than those in June, adding that violators will be confronted.
The Health Ministry recently issued a new directive relaxing restrictions on passenger transportation over Covid-19 as of Nov. 22.
As per the directive, airplanes will be allowed to utilize 100% of passenger capacity, up from 60% in the wake of the pandemic.
Passenger ships, buses and trains will be allowed to use 80% of their capacities.
“After 80% of the population are vaccinated, marine, rail and road transportation can also be operated at full capacity,” reads the directive as reported by Mehr News Agency.
Shahram Adamnejad, deputy minister of roads and urban development for transportation, communicated the directive to the Civil Aviation Organization, Ports and Maritime Organization and Iran Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization.
For domestic flights, passengers need to carry either their vaccination card or a negative PRC test result (taken within 72 hours before takeoff). For international flights, passengers need both these documents with a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours before takeoff.
For road travel, there is need for either a negative PCR test taken within two hours before departure or a vaccination card.
To be able to travel domestically on a vessel, passengers need either a vaccination card or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. For international marine journeys, passengers are required to have both their vaccination card and a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours before departure.
Passengers traveling by trains also need to have vaccination cards as well as their negative PCR test results (taken within 72 hours before departure).
The directive mandates social distancing during boarding and disembarking, while preventing queues.
Iranian passengers who plan to fly abroad are advised to apply for digital vaccination card issued by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, according to an official with the Health Ministry.
“The only valid certificate of Covid-19 vaccination in Iran is the digital card issued in Salamat.gov.ir by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education,” Ali Sharifi Zarchi was quoted as saying by IRNA.
Passengers are advised to apply for a digital vaccine card at least two weeks before their departure by visiting the Salamat.gov.ir website.
As of Nov. 23, only vaccinated people or those carrying negative PCR test result are permitted to travel, according to the head of Transport Safety Regulation Codification and Passive Defense Center affiliated with the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.
“A system called ‘Omid’ will soon come online through which all passengers will be monitored and unless they are vaccinated or carry a negative PCR test result, they will not be allowed to travel using public transportation,” Reza Nafisi was also quoted as saying by the news portal of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.
The official noted that the Omid system will provide access to information on whether a passenger has the Covid-19 or is suspicious of being infected, which will help break the contagion cycle more effectively.
The new regulation applies to the twice vaccinated as well as those who have only received their first dose for the time being, provided the former is not past the due date for their second round of vaccination.
Nafisi noted that in the near future, regulations will become more strict, meaning that only people who have received two doses of vaccine will be permitted to travel.
