Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 19
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iran imported its first Airbus 319 passenger aircraft, the country's semi-official Fars news agency reported Jan. 19.
The 20-year old aircraft, which was bought by Iran's Zagros airlines from Ukraine, landed in Tehran's international Mehrabad airport.
It is while Iran's administration has banned domestic airlines from importing or renting the planes older than 15 years. The bought plane was manufactured in 1996.
The plane was bought before the lifting of international sanctions against Iran, however it is the first imported plane following removal of sanction on Jan. 16.
The US-led sanctions on aircraft and spare parts exports to Iran have left the Iranian airlines saddled with not only some of the oldest fleet in the Middle East, but in the world.
Back in April 2015, head of Iran Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had said the country needs to buy up to 500 passenger planes in the next 10 years to renovate its ageing fleet.
The number of Iran's active aircraft stands at 250 with average age of 22 years.