Destruction of Iran's Aviation Industry with Continuation of Islamic Republic Policies

A news outlet in Iran warned in a report comparing the status of 'operational aircraft' and 'annual retirement of old and worn-out aircraft' that if the current situation continues, Iran's air transport industry will be destroyed within the next seven years. According to the report from Ekoweb, there are currently only 140 operational aircraft in the country, of which 20 are retired each year due to aging and wear, and if this trend continues without the acquisition of modern aircraft, Iran will become a country without an air transport industry in seven years. According to official estimates, the average age of the Islamic Republic of Iran's air transport fleet is now 28 years, which indicates the highest level of aircraft aging compared to the global average. Reports indicate that after the Islamic Republic of Iran, African countries have an air fleet age of 14 years, ranking second in aircraft aging, while India, with an average age of 7 years, has one of the youngest air fleets in the world. The global average age of air fleets is less than 15 years. This report comes at a time when the European Union sanctioned three Iranian airlines, Iran Air, Mahan, and Saha, in October of this year. The Secretary of the Association of Airlines stated that among Iranian companies, 'only Iran Air had flights to Europe,' and with the new EU sanctions, no Iranian aircraft will fly to this continent anymore. Raisi's order to build eight aircraft in honor of the eighth Shiite Imam. Argentina seized one aircraft and the passports of five Iranian crew members. The Iranian aviation industry is grounded, worn out, and on the verge of bankruptcy. The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization stated that the contract with Airbus has not been canceled but needs to be reviewed.