TEHRAN: Iran Air has taken delivery of its first new A330-200, arrived in Tehran on Saturday, March 11, the second of 200 Western-built passenger aircraft ordered by Iran Air following the lifting of sanctions on Iran last year.
It is the first wide body from a firm order placed by the national carrier of Iran in December 2016 for 100 Airbus aircraft (46 single aisle and 54 wide-body jets) to renew and expand its fleet with new aircraft.
Iran Air’s A330-200 features a two-class cabin layout, seating 32 passengers in business and 206 in economy.
The long-haul aircraft, carrying Iran Air Chairman Farhad Parvaresh and other officials, landed at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, the official news agency IRNA reported.
The delivery, which took place at the Airbus delivery centre in Toulouse, marks yet another milestone for Iran Air, as it celebrates its 56th anniversary since establishment.
The A330 Family has now attracted more than 1,500 orders and over 1,100 A330 Family aircraft are flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. The A330 is one of the world’s most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics, the manufacturer said in a statement.
The country has not directly purchased a Western-built plane in nearly 40 years, the one exception being the sale of an Airbus to replace one shot down by the US Navy in 1988.
The A330 is expected to be used initially on European routes and on flights to Beijing and Kuala Lumpur.
Uncertainty remains over the timing of the rest of the orders as banks shy away from deals with Iran, fearing a “snapback” of international sanctions or US fines if they are deemed to be breaking US sanctions.
