Following on from an official commitment signed in January this year, Airbus and Iran Air have now signed a firm contract for 100 commercial jets, comprising 46 A320 Family, 38 A330 Family and 16 A350 XWB aircraft, with deliveries beginning in early 2017.

“I am delighted that we have reached an agreement to go to the next decisive phase and start taking delivery of new aircraft. I am gratified that this new round of cooperation with Airbus has come to fruition and brought us closer with more practical steps to follow for Iran Air’s fleet renewal. Iran Air considers this agreement an important step towards a stronger international presence in civil aviation. We hope this success signals to the world that the commercial goals of Iran and its counterparts are better achieved with international cooperation and collaboration,” said Mr Farhad Parvaresh, Iran Air Chairman and CEO.

“This is a landmark agreement not only because it paves the way for Iran Air’s fleet renewal,” said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO.

“Our overall accord includes pilot training, airport operations and air traffic management so this agreement is also a significant first step in the overall modernisation of Iran’s commercial aviation sector.”

The agreement is subject to US government Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) export licences which were granted in September and November 2016 and which are required for products containing 10 per cent or more US technology content. Airbus has coordinated closely with regulators in the EU, US and other countries, to ensure total understanding and compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA).

The agreement follows the implementation of the JCPOA, its associated rules and guidance and included new commercial aircraft orders as well as a comprehensive civil aviation package. The package also includes pilot and maintenance training, as well as support for the development of air navigation services (ATM), airport and aircraft operations and regulatory harmonization.