Iran Close to Deal with Airbus

A Transportation Ministry official in Iran said the Iranians were close to securing a deal with France’s Airbus to purchase 10 to 12 airplanes. The official tells IranWire that the deal will be signed in Paris during the upcoming visit of President Rouhani in November.

The negotiations were conducted in the summer at the Paris Air Show. The head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization has said at the time that Iran would purchase 40 Airbus planes, but IranWire reports, “the declining oil revenues and a deepening economic recession subsequently limited the order.” (IranWire, 24 October)

File photo: Airbus A380 (Wikipedia)

New ‘Dolphin Park’ livery for Zagros Airlines A322

New "Dolphin Park" livery observed on Zagros Airlines Airbus A320-214, reg. EP-ZAT (cn 999)

[photo: Ata Tavanaei]

 

View of entire livery on EP-ZAT, as photographed 09OCT15 at Mashhad - Shahid Hashemi Nejad International (MHD / OIMM)

[photo: Ata Tavanaei]

Operator history for EP-ZAT, source: Planespotters.net (click to enlarge)

This aircraft's new livery reference of "Dolphin Park" is an interesting one. According to UntoldIran.com:

Dolphin Park or Dolphinarium located in Kish island is the first dolphin park in Iran.

The huge recreational and tourist complex with 100 hectares area is located in the southeast of the island. The complex includes green space with a variety of different species of plants, bird garden, and the first and the only Dolphinarium in Iran. In this complex, different species of marine mammals, including dolphins, northern sea lion, southern sea lion, northern sea cat, dolphin and penguin are kept and tourists can watch their master strokes of those trained by Iranian instructors. A total of 21 marine mammals are kept in pools with a volume of 18,000 cubic meters filled with sea water.

The green space of Dolphin Park has more than one hundred plant species including thousands of palm trees, very large Benjamins, Hornbeam (Lur) trees (banyan), Eucalyptus, Acacia, Myrtle, Prosopis cineraria, Marshmallow, Callistemon, Tecoma ,Conocarpus, Junipers and more than 25 species of cactus and other plants that is unique in its kind considering the climatic conditions of the island and its coral soil.

In the bird garden more than 50 species of various birds like pelicans, ostriches, parrots of Macau, peacocks, various types of stork, toucan, tauraco, swan and other types of aquatic animals like crocodile are kept from all around the world. Due to the proper environment these animals can breed and live naturally.

COMMENTARY: Zagros Airline, based at ABD with main hub at THR, lists two flights to Kish, weekly.

Dolphin performance with touchscreen at Dolphin Park on Kish Island

Dolphin ball trick performance at Dolphin Park on Kish Island

Dolphin ball trick performance at Dolphin Park on Kish Island (as referenced on Zagros Airlines EP-ZAT livery)

Spectator interaction with dolphins at Dolphin Park on Kish Island

Sea lion performance at Dolphin Park on Kish Island

Trained sea lion at Dolphin Park on Kish Island

Photos: UntoldIran.com

Vice President Ebtekar travels to Kerman on Mahan Air A306

Iranian Vice President and Minister of Environment Masoumeh Ebtekar arrives at Kerman Airport (KER), having flown Mahan Air Airbus A300B4-603, reg. EP-MNG (cn 401). Flight details of what appears to be a regularly scheduled commercial flight provided below (source Flightradar24):

Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar received at KER by Ali-Reza Razm-Hosseini (foreground, left), the governor general of Kerman province.

Ebetkar's trip focused on Jazmurian wetland restoration, water management and labor issues, and a meeting with Environmental Watch officials.

Ebtekar and Razm-Hosseini at a "green belt" construction site, "aimed at combating speculation, prevent the entry of dust and increase the per capita green area of ​​Kerman." The program was initiated during the last year (Persian calendar). Employing drip irrigation method, this belt includes trees such as barberry and oleander, olive, cypress, pine, and bitter jujube. [source: Mehr News Agency]

Pine tree planting directed by Vice President Ebtekar. To her right is Kerman Mayor Abolghasem Seyfollahi.

Protectors of Iran's biodiversity, Iranian Department of Environment (DoE) Game Guards stand at attention for Vice President and Minister of Environment Masoumeh Ebtekar.

Vice President Ebtekar lays flowers at what appear to be graves of fallen DoE Game Guards, killed on duty defending Iran's biodiversity. (For additional reading on DoE Game Guards, click HERE)

 

Ebtekar is known to Americans as "Tehran Mary," serving as spokesperson for the students in the Iran hostage crisis of 1979, where Iranian students occupied the US Embassy and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Rouhani flown to JFK for UNGA session in newly acquired A343

Above: President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Zarif aboard newly acquired IRIG (Meraj Air) Airbus A340-313, reg. EP-AJA (cn 257) on 24SEP15, departing THR on RWY 29L, bound for JFK.  [photo: Mehrad Watson]

Livery painting complete, EP-AJA takes the Iranian delegation to New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly session.

Flight details below, click to enlarge [source: Flightradar24]:

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives at New York - John F. Kennedy International (Idlewild) (JFK / KJFK)

President Rouhani transfers to vehicle transport with assistance rendered by United States diplomatic security detail

At the United Nations General Assembly on 25SEP15: President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and UN Representative Gholamali Khoshroo.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 25SEP15 at the United Nations

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on 25SEP15 at the United Nations.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Newly acquired A343 to serve as Iran Government VIP aircraft

Newly acquired Meraj Airlines A340-313, reg. EP-AJA (cn 257) as photographed by "shahram16216" at Instagram on 18SEP15 at Tehran - Mehrabad International Airport (THR).

According to CH-Aviation:

Meraj Air (JI, Tehran Mehrabad) has taken delivery of its maiden A340-300, ex-AirBlue (PA, Karachi Int'l) machine EP-AJA (cn 257), that was originally reported as being destined for Asian Express Airline (Tajikistan) (KV, Dushanbe). Originally listed as heading for Singapore Changi, the quadjet was seen arriving at Tehran Mehrabad on Tuesday, September 15.

Reports out of Iran indicate the aircraft has already been reconfigured for VIP operations for the Iranian government and is sporting "Islamic Republic of Iran" titles.

COMMENTARY: First flight for this aircraft was Jan. 1999, making its age 16.9 years. Even so, this four-engine jetliner represents a more suitable VIP aircraft than far older Boeing 707-3J9C aircraft serving IRIG. It's also the first four-engine jetliner delivery to Iran since the signing of JCPOA. Successful implementation of the nuclear agreement accords Iran access to aviation purchases and deliveries previously barred by sanctions.

Meraj Airlines A340-313, reg. EP-AJA in partially applied IRIG livery; photographed by Mehrad Watson during 15SEP15 delivery flight to THR.

Operator history for EP-AJA (click table to enlarge):

FM Zarif flies IRIG Airbus A322 to Tunis, Tunisia

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif  arrives at Tunis in Tunisia aboard IRIG Airbus A321-231, reg. EP-AGB (cn 1202). Flight details provided below from Flightradar24:

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his delegation make their way from EP-AGB. The foreign minister brings with him a "a high-ranking political-economic delegation". [source: Iran Daily]

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif  with Tunisian Foreign Minister Taïeb Baccouche

According to PressTV:

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tunisia serves as a successful example of people’s participation in state affairs for Muslim countries.

"Tunisia is a successful example of people's presence in the Muslim world and we are happy that this example has been faring well," Zarif said upon his arrival in Tunis on Monday.

The region is grappling with such issues as extremism and instability. Ongoing instability in Libya, Iraq, Syria an

During his visit, Zarif is scheduled to meet with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, Prime Minister Habib Essid and Foreign Minister Taïeb Baccouche.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif  with Tunisian Foreign Minister Taïeb Baccouche

COMMENTARY: During the second round of his regional tours after Iran and world powers struck a historic nuclear agreement in Austria, Zarif paid visits to Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan and India in mid-August. He had earlier traveled to Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq in July.

Zarif is next scheduled to fly to Algeria on 01SEP15 to hold talks with that country’s senior officials.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Rafsanjani charters Mahan Air Airbus A306 to Mashhad

Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani descending canopied passenger boarding stairs, upon his arrival at Mashhad - Shahid Hashemi Nejad Airport (MHD / OIMM).  Flight details listed below, sourced from Flightradar24.com:

Rafsanjani's chartered aircraft is Mahan Air Airbus A300B4-603, reg. EP-MNI (cn 408). The aircraft is 28.5 years old.

The current Chairman of Expediency Discernment Council is seen being received by officials including an Artesh brigadier general 2C.

Rafsanjani accompanied by Razavi Khorasan Province Governor Ali Reza Rashidiyan (to his right)

On 03AUG15 Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani officially announced his intention to run for re-election to the Assembly of Experts in February 2016, prompting backlash from the more conservative establishment. [see HERE]

A political moderate, the former President of Iran supports the Rouhani administration and its signing of the JCPOA.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Mahan Air A346 aircraft now operating flights to Far East, in defiance of U.S. sanctions

Mahan Air A346 aircraft obtained 08MAY15 with Iraqi assistance are now operating international routes to Malaysia and Thailand, in defiance of U.S. sanctions related to the airline's past IRGC-related logistical activities in support of Syrian Arab Republic, Lebanese Hezbollah, MODAFL and ICAO.

In addition to the above mentioned Far East routes, Iran has been and is currently flying regular routes with these U.S.-sanctioned aircraft to destinations in Greece, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.

U.S. Treasury department on 21MAY15 stated  Mahan Air had a "blockable interest" in the planes, meaning they could be subject to an asset freeze, raising the possibility that Washington may attempt to have them seized at airports outside Iran.

Iran's aviation authority stated on 08JUN15 the country would take legal action if Washington tries to stop newly acquired Iranian passenger planes flying international routes.

Recapping regular route flight numbers and destinations for U.S.-sanctioned Mahan Air A346 EP-MMR (cn 416) and EP-MMH (cn 391), are as follows:

Flight W5118: IKA to ESB
Flight W558:  IKA to ATH
Flights W561, W563: IKA to DXB
Flight W582: IKA to KUL
Flight W551: IKA to BKK

Additionally, Mahan Air A346 EP-MMI (cn 449) on 01JUL15 made its first service flight to DXB, making three Mahan Air A346 aircraft now operating international flights in defiance of U.S. sanctions.

File photo of Mahan Air A346 EP-MMI, now joining EP-MMH and EP-MMR in operating international flights in defiance of U.S. sanctions.  [photo: Majid Tavakoli]

Recent flight data for Mahan Air A346, registration EP-MMH  [source: Flightradar24]:

Recent flight data for Mahan Air A346, registration EP-MMR  [source: Flightradar24]:

Imagery of U.S.-sanctioned Mahan Air A346, reg. EP-MMG

New amateur imagery posted this week at MyAviation.ir of U.S.-sanctioned Mahan Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMG (cn 383) at Tehran - Mehrabad International Airport (THR). First open-source photo available of aircraft in Mahan Air livery:

Undated photograph by Majid Khodaei depicts aircraft situated near Pars Aviation Service Company MRO facility at THR. In the background are seen IRGC-related Ilyushin Il-76TD "Candid" strategic airlifters and Antonov An-74TK-200 "Coaler" transport aircraft. Ilyushin at far left with green vertical stabilizer retains Yas Air paint scheme; airline sanctioned for similar reasons as EP-MMG.

EP-MMG obtained with Iraqi assistance; ferried 08May15 from Baghdad International Airport (BGW) to Tehran - Mehrabad International Airport (THR).

U.S. Treasury department on 21MAY15 stated  Mahan Air had a "blockable interest" in this plane, meaning it could be subject to an asset freeze, raising the possibility that Washington may attempt to have it seized at airports outside Iran. Iran's aviation authority stated on 08JUN15 the country would take legal action if Washington tries to stop newly acquired Iranian passenger planes flying international routes.

Should this follow the example of EP-MMH and EP-MMR, aircraft expected to commence flying international routes from Tehran - Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA).

U.S.-sanctioned Mahan Air jetliners operate regular flights to Europe

Amateur imagery has been posted from Athens International Airport (see below), depicting Mahan Air Airbus A340-642 aircraft registrations EP-MMH and EP-MMR operating regularly scheduled Flight W558 (IKA to ATH), and Flight W559 (ATH to IKA).

U.S. Treasury department on 21MAY15 stated  Mahan Air had a "blockable interest" in the planes, meaning they could be subject to an asset freeze, raising the possibility that Washington may attempt to have them seized at airports outside Iran.

Iran is currently flying regular routes with these sanctioned aircraft, to destinations Dubai, Ankara and Athens. Iran's aviation authority stated on 08JUN15 the country would take legal action if Washington tries to stop newly acquired Iranian passenger planes flying international routes.

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMH (cn 391), Flight W559 ATH to IKA

Photographed 21JUN15 by Alex Filippopoulos

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMH at Athens International Airport

Photographed 21JUN15 by Alex Filippopoulos

 

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMH at Athens International Airport

Photographed 21JUN15 by Alex Filippopoulos

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMR (cn 416), Flight W558 IKA to ATH

Photographed 23JUN15 by Alex Filippopoulos

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMR at Athens International Airport

Photographed 23JUN15 by Alex Filippopoulos

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMR at Athens International Airport

Photographed 23JUN15 by Alex Filippopoulos

Flights W558 and W559 info for Mahan Air Airbus A340-642 registration EP-MMH (click to enlarge):
[source: Flightradar24]

Flights W558 and W559 info for Mahan Air Airbus A340-642 registration EP-MMR (click to enlarge):
[source: Flightradar24]

Two Mahan Air A346 planes now flying international routes, defying U.S. sanctions

Two Mahan Air aircraft obtained 08MAY15 with Iraqi assistance are now flying international routes, in defiance of U.S. sanctions related to the airline's past IRGC-related logistical activities in support of Syrian Arab Republic, Lebanese Hezbollah, MODAFL and ICAO. The two aircraft are:

- Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMH (cn 391)

- Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMR (cn 416)

International flights for these U.S.-sanctioned aircraft now include the following destinations:

- Athens International Airport (ATH / LGAV), since 19JUN15

- Ankara - Esenboğa International Airport (ESB / LTAC), since 07JUN15

- Dubai International Airport (DXB / OMDB), since 03JUN15

Above: Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMH (cn 391) at Athens International Airport

Mahan Air Flight W558 photographed 19JUN15 by Antoni Sanagno

Table of recent flights for Mahan Air EP-MMH (cn 391)  [source: Flightradar24]

Table of recent flights for Mahan Air EP-MMR (cn 416)  [source: Flightradar24]

Also of interest, Mahan Air on 17JUN15 inaugurated flights to Milan – Malpensa Airport (MXP / LIMC). Inaugural flight undertaken by Airbus A343 aircraft reg. EP-MMB, obtained by Mahan Air on 23DEC12.

Mahan Air Airbus A340-311, reg. EP-MMB (cn 7335A2) undergoing water salute ceremony at Malpensa Airport

Mahan Air Flight W5110 photographed 17JUN15 by MXphotos