Baku, Azerbaijan, May 11
By Fatih Karimov - Trend:
Iranian airlines owe some 4 trillion rials (about $157 million) to the State Airports Company.
Mohammad-Ali Ilkhani, the new managing director of the State Airports Company, emphasized the need to improve safety and security of flights, Iran's Fars news agency reported on May 11.
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.
In September 2013, Managing Director of Iran Airtour Airline Sirous Baheri said Over 60 per cent of Iran's total 220 airplanes are grounded due to technical and logistic issues.
Iranian airlines' air fleet is averagely 22 years old, the ISNA News Agency reported.
"Iranians airlines are facing great losses due to the low price of domestic flights' tickets," Baheri said.
"Iranian airlines are currently having difficulties to compete with the foreign airlines," he added.
"Not having connection with the manufacturers is one of the main problems of the domestic airlines, which has made it difficult for them to repair their airplanes," Baheri stated.