Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 29
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iran's Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) has defended its decision to permit Ukraine International Airlines operation inside the country the official IRNA news agency reported Dec. 29.
Earlier Iranian hardliner MPs criticized the organization on the issue, arguing they have some evidence that proves the airline belongs to an Israeli person. Iranian officials strongly oppose any economic transactions with Israelis over the political disputes with Tel Aviv.
The Ukraine International Airlines was "officially" introduced to Iran by the civil aviation organization of Ukraine to transfer passengers between the two countries, the CAO said.
All investigations prove that the company is completely Ukrainian the CAO said in a statement, adding there is no evidence of Israeli ownership of the company.
The head of the supervisory board of Ukraine International Airlines, Aron Maiberg, said during a press conference in November that he is an Israeli citizen. Maiberg is the co-owner of Ukraine International Airlines.
Earlier Mohammad Damadi, a member of the Construction Commission of Iranian parliament said that the Islamic Republic's intelligence services are investigating the ownership of the airlines.
"I, personally, contacted the head of Iran Civil Aviation Organization, asking for revision in granting permit to the airline. The head of CAO responded that the intelligence services had previously approved the airline but the organization will once again ask them to investigate the case," Damadi said.
Edited by CN
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