Iran Air

Iran Air, officially known as the Airline of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian: هواپیمایی جمهوری اسلامی ایران, romanized: Havâpeimâ'i-ye Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Irân), is the flag carrier airline of Iran, based in Tehran. It operates domestic and international passenger and cargo services.

History:

Founded in 1944 as Iranian Airways, it was nationalized in 1961 through its merger with another Iranian airline, Pars Airways, to form Iran National Airlines, later known as Iran Air. Prior to the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran Air was a modern airline with a predominantly Western-built fleet and extensive routes to Europe, North America, and Asia. The post-revolution period saw the airline facing significant challenges, including international sanctions limiting its ability to acquire new aircraft and spare parts, leading to an aging fleet.

Operations:

Iran Air operates a network of domestic routes connecting major cities within Iran. Its international routes serve destinations primarily in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Due to sanctions, the airline has historically relied on acquiring aircraft and spare parts through alternative channels.

Fleet:

Over the years, the Iran Air fleet has included a mix of Western-built aircraft (Boeing, Airbus) and aircraft from other sources such as Fokker and, more recently, ATR. The fleet age has been a persistent challenge, but with the easing of some sanctions in 2016, the airline placed orders for new Airbus and Boeing aircraft. However, the reimposition of sanctions subsequently affected these orders.

Services:

Iran Air offers different classes of service depending on the route, typically including Economy and Business class. It also provides cargo services.

Headquarters:

The airline's headquarters are located at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, which also serves as a major hub for its operations.

Controversies:

Iran Air has faced controversies related to safety concerns due to its aging fleet and the difficulty in acquiring spare parts due to sanctions. It has also been subject to scrutiny regarding its compliance with international regulations.