BA flights to Tehran set to resume after four-year gap

LONDON, Sept 1 British Airways resumes direct flights to Tehran on Thursday after four years of suspension due to western sanctions on Iran.

The signing of a landmark nuclear accord with world powers past year led to a lifting of economic sanctions that was expected to bring huge economic benefits for Iran.

Meanwhile, BA is to cancel one of its two daily London City Airport-New York all-business-class services from the end of October.

BA has announced it will now fly passengers to the Iranian capital six days a week.

BA has also released a You Tube video of the carrier’s only Farsi-speaking captain, Kami Johnson, in which he explains the appeal of flights to Iran for first time visitors and returning relatives.

Last August, the British embassy in Tehran reopened after four years.

European airlines are able to resume services after the relaxation of those global sanctions following a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme.

“Iran is a fascinating country, full of fantastic and surprising places for tourists to visit and discover its sophisticated and ancient culture”.

British Airways the decision to suspend the route was initially taken when it became commercially unviable, largely because political relations had broken down.

Air France resumed Paris-Tehran flights in April for the first time in eight years.