Iran announces Airbus and ATR order plans

More than 400 delegates and attendees – airlines, airports, aircraft and engine manufacturers, lessors, GDS and technology providers and suppliers – listened to aviation leaders and decision makers talking about the future of Iran’s aviation market. 

Some of the highlights from Day 1 were the announcement by Iran's deputy minister of new aircraft orders from Airbus and ATR, Iran Air's 10-year development plan, including making Tehran Airport a major transit hub, and Turkish Airlines' prediction of a doubling of tourism demand within two years. 

Iranian minster of roads and urban development Dr Abbas Akhoundi said that Iran will invest USD250 million to modernise its air traffic management infrastructure. Iran has opened five new airspace corridors in the last few months, and according to Dr Akhhoundi more new corridors will be opened in the future, with the aim of creating the most secure and safe airspace in the region. 

The minister also announced that a contract to expand Tehran Imam Khomeni International Airport is imminent, and will ensure that the airport is developed to handle 45 million passengers p/a. According to Dr Akhhoundi, only 10 of the more than 65 operational airports in Iran currently have sufficient infrastructure, creating tremendous opportunity for foreign investment and partnerships. 

Iranian deputy minister of roads and urban development Ashgar Fakhreih Kashan said that Iran has reached “almost the final stage” of negotiations with Airbus for 127 aircraft – not 114 as previously and widely reported. The order will go to Iran Air, and will include A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380 aircraft. Deliveries will be between 2016 and 2022, with the majority to be delivered before 2020. 

Kashan also revealed that Iran has entered negotiations with ATR for 40 aircraft. Deliveries of the aircraft will be scheduled for 2016 and 2017. 

Iran has also entered some “unofficial” discussions with Boeing, but no indication of the scale or type of order were announced. It was revealed that communications are on-going.