Test Flight of ATR Passenger Aircraft Begins in Iranian Skies

The Islamic Republic of Iran Airlines announced on Sunday, September 25, the commencement of a demonstration flight for the newly purchased ATR-72 passenger aircraft in Iranian airspace. According to the public relations center of "Homa," one ATR aircraft from the ordered model will conduct demonstration flights at several airports across the country on Sunday and Monday of this week. The Islamic Republic Airlines stated that the purpose of this operation is to assess the "capabilities and technical and operational capabilities" of this aircraft by "Homa" specialists. The ATR-72 aircraft features two turboprop engines with propellers and is manufactured by the French-Italian aircraft manufacturer "ATR." This type of aircraft can accommodate up to 74 passengers and is used for short-haul routes. Last year, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani finalized a contract to purchase 20 ATR-72 aircraft during his official visit to Italy, with a total cost of nearly one billion euros. Under this contract, the order for 20 additional aircraft of this type has been opened. Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan, Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, stated late last year at the Iranian Aviation Conference that "a contract has been signed for the purchase of 40 short-haul aircraft from ATR, with the majority of these aircraft to be delivered to Iran in 2016 and 2017." The Italian-French aircraft manufacturer ATR is a subsidiary of Airbus, and the announcement of the arrival of the first passenger aircraft of this company in Iranian airspace comes after Airbus and Boeing announced last week that the U.S. government had issued the necessary licenses for selling aircraft to Iran. Following the nuclear agreement with world powers and the lifting of sanctions on Tehran, Iran decided to modernize its air fleet, reaching an agreement with Airbus to purchase 118 aircraft. Although Airbus is considered a European company, many of the components used in these aircraft are made in the U.S., requiring U.S. government approval for their sale. Meanwhile, Iran has also reached an agreement with Boeing to purchase 80 aircraft and lease 29 others. In this context, the U.S. State Department welcomed the Boeing-Iran Air agreement, and the U.S. Treasury Department issued licenses for the sale of Airbus aircraft, made in Europe, and Boeing aircraft, made in the U.S., to Iran. The CEO of Oil Airlines stated: "We did not buy Boeing; we have leased them." Two prominent figures in the U.S. Congress expressed "deep concern" over the sale of Airbus and Boeing aircraft to Iran.