Iran to buy 118 Airbus aircraft

French President Francois Hollande (R) meets Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 28, 2016.

The not-quite-comprehensive ending of sanctions against Iran has also ended the Airbus A380 sales drought, with Iran Air signing for 12 of the biggest passenger jet flying.

The order included 73 wide body and 45 narrow body jets, including 12 A380 superjumbos.

The tremendous deal depends on Airbus because more than 10% of the components for the airplanes are manufactured in America, winning USA export licences.

The cooperation agreement provides for Airbus to support the development of air navigation services (including air traffic management services), airport and aircraft operations, regulatory harmonization, technical and academic training, maintenance, fix and industrial cooperation.

The order is a boost for British jobs because Airbus’s wings are made in the UK.

“The contract with the Airbus has been finalised… the planes will be delivered to Iran as soon as possible within four years…”

An embargo dating from 1995 has prevented Western manufacturers from selling equipment and spare parts to Iranian companies.

Iran’s civil aviation fleet is now around 140 aircraft, with an average age of around 20 years, and many are in desperate need of replacement.

About one million Iranians live in the USA, with the thousands who fly home every year forced to change in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul or Dubai.

“Today’s announcement is the start of re-establishing our civil aviation sector into the envy of the region and along with partners like Airbus we’ll ensure the highest world standards”, said Mr Farhad Parvaresh, Iran Air Chairman and CEO.

Several European airlines, including Air France-KLM, intend to restart flights to Iran in 2013.

Under a deal reached between Iran and six major powers in 2015, sanctions imposed on Tehran were lifted this month in return for curbs to the country’s nuclear programme.