Boeing to Sell Aircraft Parts to Iran; GE to Overhaul Engines for Iran Air

The U.S. Treasury Department today issued a license for Boeing to sell aircraft parts to Iran. Meanwhile, General Electric announced today that it too has received license to overhaul 18 engines sold to Iran Air in late 1970s.

The licenses were issued under the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) signed in Geneva last November between Iran and the world powers.

The Boeing license allows the giant aerospace company to provide “spare parts that are for safety purposes.” Boeing will still not be allowed to sell new planes to Iran. (AFP, 4 April)

Meanwhile, GE spokesman Rick Kennedy said the Treasury’s approval will allow the company to service 18 engines at facilities owned by GE or Germany's MTU Aero Engines, which is licensed to do the work. GE officials will meet with Iran Air and MTU in Istanbul next week to discuss the project. (Reuters, 4 April)

File photo: An Iran Air Boeing 747 (Getty)

Boeing, GE Move to Sell Aircraft Parts to Iran

Reuters reported today that American aerospace giant Boeing and engine maker GE have applied for export licenses to Iran to sell airliner parts during the six month window allowed under the Joint Plant of Action (JPOA) agreement signed in November by Iran and world powers. The sales, if they go through, would be the first for the two leading manufacturers since 1979.

A GE spokesman told Reuters that the company’s request to provide Iran with parts and maintenance for engines is for safety reasons only.

“We don't want to make a penny on it. It's entirely for flight safety," said Rick Kenned, the GE spokesman, adding that GE would donate any proceeds to charity. (Reuters, 21 February)

A senior Iranian official told Reuters in November that Iran could require between 250 and 400 jets if and when sanctions are lifted completely.

Iran says the sanctions have prevented it from renewing its fleet, forcing it to use sub-standard Russian aircraft and to patch up jets that have long since exceeded their normal years of service.

File Photo: Boeing logo is seen at their headquarters in Chicago, April 2013. (Jim Young/Reuters)