Iranian aviation industry in negotiation with international partners

Head of Iran's Aviation Industry Organization, Manouchehr Manteghi

Manouchehr Manteghi, head Iran’s Aviation Industry Organization announced that they are in negotiation with a number of countries over construction of 90 to 120 passenger airplanes.

Fars news agency reports that Manteghi announced Iran is in negotiation with a number of countries for construction of these planes, the details of which will be announced once the negotiations are finalized.

Manetghi maintained that Iran’s current production only carries 59 passenger planes. He added that they have plans on increasing the production of passenger flights especially ones with greater passenger capacity.

He added: "The aviation industry was one of the sectors that could have been highly vulnerable to international sanctions; however, a focus on design and production has allowed us to reach high capabilities, some of which will be displayed in an exhibition.”

The United States has had sanctions in place against the sale of US build planes to Iran since 1979. According to these sanctions, any airplane that over 10 percent of its parts are US made, even if they are not assembled in the US, cannot be sold to Iran.

Iran has 70 passenger planes that are on average more than 25 years old and it is in need of new additions to its air fleet.