Following the air accident on Thursday night, February 8, at Mashhad airport, the manager of Zagros Airlines explained that the cause of the accident involving one of the airline's Boeing aircraft was 'accumulation of snow on the runway surface.' The Boeing MD aircraft veered off the runway after landing at Hasheminejad Airport in Mashhad and came to a stop after exiting the runway. According to available photographs from the air accident, this aircraft belonging to Zagros Airlines, which had flown from Isfahan to Mashhad, was severely damaged. According to Mehr News Agency, none of the 154 passengers on this flight sustained serious injuries, and only seven passengers were transferred to medical facilities due to 'bruises and contusions.' There was no mention of the crew in the reports. According to Abdolreza Mousavi, the manager of Zagros Airlines, the aircraft 'slid off the runway due to the accumulation of snow on the surface of Hasheminejad Airport.' This official stated that this aircraft was the first to arrive at the airport after the snowfall began in Mashhad. The air accident in Mashhad occurred hours after Iran and France signed 20 contracts and memorandums during Hassan Rouhani's visit to France on Thursday, February 8, including a deal to purchase 118 Airbus aircraft worth $25 billion. According to Agence France-Presse, the contract includes the purchase of 73 large and 45 medium-sized aircraft, and it also states that 'all 118 aircraft will be new, pilots will be trained, and airport services and air traffic management will also be covered.' However, given the cause of the Mashhad air accident, the question arises whether Iranian airports have the necessary infrastructure to accommodate these new and large aircraft.
Cause of Mashhad Air Accident Announced: 'Accumulation of Snow on the Runway'
A Zagros Airlines Boeing aircraft veered off the runway at Mashhad airport due to snow accumulation, resulting in minor injuries to some passengers. This incident raises concerns about the infrastructure of Iranian airports, especially in light of a recent deal with France to purchase 118 new Airbus aircraft.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A Zagros Airlines Boeing aircraft veered off the runway at Mashhad airport due to snow accumulation, leading to minor injuries among passengers. This incident raises concerns about the readiness of Iranian airports to handle adverse weather conditions, especially with new aircraft on the way.
- The aircraft was the first to land after snowfall began in Mashhad.
- 154 passengers were on board, with only minor injuries reported.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran's aviation industry has faced numerous challenges, including outdated infrastructure and international sanctions, which have hindered modernization efforts. The recent deal with France to purchase new Airbus aircraft signifies a potential turning point for the industry.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
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