Baku, Azerbaijan, July 26
By Fatih Karimov - Trend:
Iranian airlines owe $225 million to the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC).
Mostafa Kashkouli, the head of NIORDC said the airlines pay just 20-30 percent for the fuel price in cash, the Shana news agency reported on July 26.
Iranian airlines owe some 4 trillion rials (about $157 million) to the State Airports Company.
In January, financial manager of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company Baratali Rafati said that Iranian airlines owe 6.88 trillion rials (about $280 million) to the Oil Ministry.
The airlines increased ticket prices by 70 percent last year due to increased fuel prices, he said, adding that jet fuel is sold to the airlines at 7,000 rials (about 30 cents) per liter.
Mahan, Iran Air, and Asseman airlines are the biggest debtors, he noted.
Fars News agency quoted the head of the association of Iranian airlines, Abdolreza Mousavi on Feb. 25 that Iranian airlines are unable to pay off their fuel debts to the Oil Ministry due to their bad financial position.
Many of the national fleet planes have been grounded due to financial problems, he said, adding that spare parts and components are purchased from second-hand sources with great difficulty.