Image credit: Dmitry Pichugin [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons
Iran Air yesterday confirmed a deal to buy 118 Airbus aircraft worth $25 billion.
The order include 12 A380 superjumbos, 16 new generation A350-1000s and 45 short-haul A320s.
Deliveries could start as early as this year, Airbus said.
The deal follows the lifting of western sanctions against Iran and was signed by president Hassan Rouhani on a visit to France.
Overall, Iran’s various airlines currently operate a combined 84 Airbus aircraft.
In addition to the 19 operated by Iran Air, the Iranian carriers are: ATA Airlines, Atrak Air, Iran Aseman Airlines, Mahan Air, Meraj Airlines, Qeshm Airlines, Taban Airline and Zagros Airlines.
Iran Air runs three flights a week from Tehran to London and two to Paris and Amsterdam respectively.
The airline’s chief executive, Farhad Parvaresh, said: “Today’s announcement is a first step towards restoring the prestige of the civil aviation sector in the region, and alongside partners such as Airbus we will offer unparalleled services.”