Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 14
By Umid Niayesh- Trend:
Negotiations between Iran and leading air plane manufacturers to purchase new passenger aircraft is underway, according to Abbas Akhoundi, Iran's minister of roads and urban development.
"Our visit to Europe has been canceled, but negotiations and work are still underway for buying new planes," Akhoundi said, Tasnim news agency reported Nov. 14.
Following last night's deadly attacks in Paris, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani canceled today's visit to Italy and France, which was supposed to be his first European trip as Iranian president since he assumed office in 2013.
Rouhani earlier announced that Iran expects to sign an agreement to purchase Airbus aircraft during his visit to France.
"Usually, when conditions are right, our buyers will buy from one or the other, and probably it will be Airbus," he said.
Previously in September, Akhoundi said Iran was talking to both Airbus and Boeing to acquire aircraft under lease or through sale-leaseback agreements.
He added that Iran plans to purchase 500 new passenger planes by 2025.
Iran's four largest carriers -- Iran Air, Aseman Airlines, Mahan Air and Iran Air Tours - are flying aircraft whose average fleet ages are over 22 years, according to the Iranian media outlets.
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