Tehran, Iran, June 19
By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:
The financers of the Airbus aircraft that Iran is going to buy have been designated and the contract for buying the airplanes will be finalized in one month, according to Deputy Minister of Transport Asqar Fakhriyeh.
He said that the ministry has already signed necessary deals with the financers, Fars news agency reported June 19.
The official said that Airbus is currently busy finalizing Office of Foreign Assets Control permits in the US, where they have been told they will receive the permits in 10 days.
Early reports said Iran is going to pay Airbus $10.5 billion for the purchase of the airplanes.
Back in April, Head of Iran Civil Aviation Organization Ali Abedzadeh said that Iran will get five to eight Airbus passenger aircraft.
Iran's aviation industry grew decrepit under sanctions, with airplanes aging over 25 years in average, something that has hugely heightened air accidents in the country.
Iran needs to import over 500 aircraft to refurbish its civil fleet in five years, Iran officials have often said.