Iran and Airbus Agreement for the Purchase of 114 Passenger Aircraft

The Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development stated hours before the announcement of the lifting of sanctions against Iran that an agreement has been reached with Airbus for the purchase of 114 aircraft, which will gradually enter the Iranian air fleet following the implementation of the Vienna nuclear agreement and the lifting of Western sanctions against Iran. According to the state news agency IRNA, Abbas Akhoundi said on Saturday, January 26, that several of these aircraft will be added to the Iran Air fleet by the end of this year. He noted that in addition to Iran Air, other Iranian airlines can also secure their fleets through leasing systems. He emphasized that negotiations have been conducted with several 'reputable global' insurance companies to facilitate the leasing of aircraft for other Iranian airlines as well. Before the announcement of the implementation of the nuclear agreement, U.S. President Barack Obama authorized his Secretary of State to issue licenses for the sale of passenger aircraft to Iran after the implementation of the JCPOA. The U.S. banned the sale of passenger aircraft to Iran following the hostage crisis of its diplomats in Tehran in 1979. Although the aircraft sales ban is not related to oil and banking sanctions concerning Iran's nuclear program, the U.S. agreed to lift the ban on aircraft sales to Iran during nuclear negotiations. The Iranian aviation industry has suffered greatly from sanctions, with one airline executive stating in 2013 that 60% of Iran's aircraft were grounded. Nevertheless, Iranian airlines hope to renew their fleets by purchasing new aircraft following the lifting of Western sanctions. Iranian Ministry of Roads officials have announced plans to introduce '550 new aircraft' into Iran's air fleet and stated that if purchasing this number of aircraft is not feasible due to budget constraints, they will bring them into Iran through leasing. In this context, Canadian and Brazilian companies are competing to sell aircraft to Iran, with '50 aircraft being added to Iran's air fleet.' Are wide-body Boeing aircraft better for Iran than Airbus? The Superjet 100 is 'part of Iran's purchase from the Russian airshow.' Akhoundi stated that they have not approached Sukhoi for fleet renewal. Russia is negotiating with Iran for the 'sale of passenger aircraft.' The head of Iran's aviation organization stated that Iran needs 400 passenger aircraft. Iran Air reported that parts for Iranian aircraft are awaiting U.S. approval for export.