Iran Air’s 3rd new Airbus airliner arrives at Tehran

Iran Air on 25MAR2017 received its latest fleet addition: Airbus A330-243E, reg. EP-IJB (msn 1586).

Aircraft originally ordered by Avianca Brasil reg. PR-OCF; stored by Airbus Industrie since JAN2015.

This marks the 3rd Airbus passenger jet received by Iran Air following JCPOA and the agreement's stipulated resumption of new civil airliner acquisitions.

Iran Air Flight IR700 TLS-THR arrives 25MAR2017 at 17:43 hrs

Rolls Royce Trent 772B-60 with activated thrust reverser

In the distance: IRIAF Boeing 747-100 series aircraft at THR

Iran Air Goldhofer AST-series towbarless aircraft tractor pulls EP-IJB

EP-IJB passes two tired-looking Boeing 747 aircraft, including 41 year-old Iran Air Boeing 747SP-86, reg. EP-IAA (msn 20998 / 275).

Also visible is an Iran Air Douglas DC12-44 Heavy Aircraft Tractor.

EP-IJB received towed for reception at Iran Air Engineering and Maintenance facility hangar

EP-IJB guided towards Iran Air Engineering and Maintenance facility hangar

Pilot in command of Iran Air Flight IR700 waves to reception at THR

EP-IJB received inside Iran Air Engineering and Maintenance facility hangar

EP-IJB marks the third Airbus aircraft received, with ninety-seven more deliveries expected as a result of JCPOA.

Livery detail for EP-IJB. Aircraft seating configuration is C32 Y206 (same as EP-IJA)

Main landing gear and starboard engine detail of EP-IJB

 

Right: Older Airbus wide-body twin-engine jet airliner continues to be engaged in apparent heavy maintenance visit (HMV).

Photos: Mehdi Bolourian at Fars News Agency, Asghar Khamseh at Mehr News Agency

Iran Air's 2nd new Airbus airliner arrives at Tehran

Iran Air on 11Mar2017 received its new addition: an Airbus A330-243E. (This is undelivered Avianca Brasil reg. PR-OCL, with first flight 02JUN2014.) This marks the 2nd Airbus passenger jet received by Iran Air following JCPOA and the agreement's stipulated resumption of new airliner deliveries.

Iran Air Flight IR700 from TLS arrived THR at 08:58 hrs

Iran Air Airbus A330-243E, reg. EP-IJA (msn 1540)

Pilot and first officer of Iran Air Flight IR700

EP-IJA received inside Iran Air Engineering and Maintenance facility hangar at Tehran International Airport

External front section detail of EP-IJA

Iran Air Flight IR700 crew and ranking personnel disembark from EP-IJA

Official reception for EP-IJA at the Iran Air Engineering and Maintenance facility hangar

External detail of Rolls-Royce Trent 772C-60 engine

Livery detail of the Iran Air Homa griffin, applied by Airbus at CHR

Seating configuration rendered for EP-IJA is C32 Y206

Detail of first class seating accommodations on EP-IJA

In the same hangar behind clear plastic sheeting is another Airbus wide-body twin-engine jet airliner; this one apparently engaged in heavy maintenance visit (HMV).

Photos: Efran Kouchari at Tasnim News Agency

Paintwork and livery applied to new Iran Air A332 EP-IJA

Latest imagery dated 27JAN2017 of Iran Air Airbus A330-243E reg. EP-IJA  (msn 1540) at  Châteauroux-Centre "Marcel Dassault" Airport (CHR / LFLX). Photo by Dominique Meunier.

**Note: new aircraft registration is EP-IJA, not EP-IHA as originally reported.

Observers also note the larger "Iran Air" titles enabled on this larger aircraft type.

Delivery and arrival at THR expected second week of FEB2017.

U.S. Congress bill seeks to investigate Iran Air

Illustration of potential Iran Air Boeing 777-300ER series [rendering by Bobby Catone]

A bill in Congress has been introduced that could potentially block civilian passenger jet deals between Airbus and Boeing and Iran.

According to CNN:

Peter Roskam, a Republican member of the House, introduced a bill on Friday to initiate an investigation by the Trump administration's Director of National Intelligence into Iran Air and the nation's other airlines.

If Iran Air or any other airline were to be found to support the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps or foreign terrorist organizations, the airline would be added to the U.S. sanctions list and be prevented from receiving new aircraft or U.S.-made parts. That would effectively freeze the sale of jets from Boeing to Iran.

The legislation would exert little control over the Airbus aircraft that are already delivered, but the airline would not be able to receive spare parts for those planes, or receive any maintenance outside of Iran. If Iran Air received maintenance or parts outside of Iran, that provider would be barred from doing business with the U.S. market.

What is at stake from an American standpoint, according to Boeing is the sale of 80 aircraft that includes 50 737 MAX 8s, 15 777-300ERs and 15 777-9s, valued at $16.6 billion at list prices.

COMMENT: Back in 2012 the Obama Administration identified Iran Air or its freight division of ferrying weapons to Syria, so linkage to the IRGC-QF appears plausible.

What is clear is that for a majority in Congress, the passenger aircraft deal made possible by JCPOA remains unpalatable. First and foremost, it would initiate a level normalization of relations between the U.S. and Iran, as well as for Western allies.

Passenger jetliners serve as potential transports during wartime. The United States has a record of using such aircraft and related carriers during wartime. So do Iran and their allies. For example during the buildup for the Battle of Aleppo, Iran-supported Iraqi PMF were ferried from Iraqi airports using civilian jetliners.

Iran Air has a history of sanctions being levied against it. Back in 2006 the U.S. allowed the EU to resume spare parts sales and deliveries and more recently the JCPOA removed U.S. sanctions from the airline.

The Iranians appeared to have recently shifted American-origin passenger jetliner aircraft operated by airlines still under sanction, over to Iran Air. This appears to be the case with IRIG Boeing 737-286/Adv reg. EP-AGA (msn 21317); no longer operated by Meraj Air but now maintained by Iran Air (see photo below).

There is a lot at stake in this potential development, including:
1) Tens of billions of dollars to the aerospace industry
2) The political fate of a moderate Iranian president in the upcoming election
3) The landmark Iran nuclear deal, itself.

IRIG Boeing 737-286/Adv reg. EP-AGA, as it appeared 12JAN2017 at the Iran Air maintenance section at THR [photo: Mehdi Bolourian at Fars News Agency].

Iran Air set to receive undelivered Avianca Brasil A332 from Airbus

(click photos to expand)

Imagery of next Airbus destined for Iran Air service: Airbus A330-243E reg. F-WXAJ (msn 1540). [photo: Gary Morris]

This is undelivered Avianca Brasil reg. PR-OCL, with first flight 02JUN2014. Iran Air reg. for aircraft will be EP-IJA.

Imagery in this post depicts ferry of aircraft at Teruel Airport (TEV) on 12JAN2017, proceeding to Châteauroux-Centre "Marcel Dassault" Airport (CHR) for paint and delivery.

 

It is said new Iran Air aircraft are being purchased with cash, through Bank Saderat Iran. Delivery of EP-IJA is scheduled to be in 25 days.

The future Iran Air Airbus A330-243E reg. EP-IJA (msn 1540) at TEV on 12JAN2017

New Iran Air A321 arrival at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran

(click photos to expand)

On final approach: Flight IR700, Iran Air's new A321 reg. EP-IFA arrives at Mehrabad Airport (THR / OIII) in Tehran on 12JAN2017 at 14:46 hrs. local time.

Delivery route from Airbus to Iran: XFW-TLS-THR.

Enthusiastic water salute rendered for arriving EP-IFA

The delivery is the first from a firm order placed by Iran Air in December 2016 for 100 Airbus aircraft (46 single aisle and 54 wide-body jets) to renew and expand its fleet. [source: Airbus]

With sanctions withdrawn, EP-IFA represents the first newly manufactured aircraft delivered to Iran Air in thirty-seven years.

Iran Air A321-211(WL) reg. EP-IFA (msn 7418)

Note in background: IRIAF Boeing (Elicotteri Meridionali) CH-47C Chinook (219).

Members of the press assembled for arrival of EP-IFA

Note in background: IRIG Boeing 737-286/Adv reg. EP-AGA (msn 21317). This refurbished forty-year-old aircraft serves the Iranian government as a VIP aircraft and is maintained by Iran Air.

EP-IFA directed towards Iran Air hangar for passenger disembark and arrival event

EP-IFA received within Iran Air hangar at THR

EP-IFA passenger disembark including IRIG and Airbus VIPs

Disembarking VIPs: 

Fabrice Brégier, Airbus CEO (left)

Abbas Ahmad Akhond, Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development (center)

Farhad Parvaresh, Chairman and Managing Director of Iran Air (background, center)

Arrival event for EP-IFA within Iran Air hangar at THR

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, with Airbus CEO Fabrice Brégier. Salehi was instrumental in achieving the JCPOA, clearing the way for new passenger airline aircraft deliveries to Iran.

According to Airbus: "The delivery complies with all relevant international laws. Airbus coordinated closely with regulators in the EU, US and elsewhere to ensure understanding and full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA)." [source]

Iran Air EP-IFA air crew member before port side CFM International CFM56-5B3/3 high-bypass turbofan aircraft engine

Photos: Mohammad Ali Marizad at Tasnim News Agency,  Mehdi Bolourian at Fars News Agency

Imagery of new Iran Air ATR 72 regional airliner aircraft

Initial three ATR 72-600 series aircraft destined for Air Iran service recently spotted late in production and flight testing at Toulouse Blagnac International Airport (TLS / LFBO).

In February 2016, it was reported ATR signed a deal with Iran Air for 20 ATR 72-600 planes with an option for 20 more.

ATR (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale or Avions de transport régional; Regional Air Transport in English) is a French-Italian aircraft manufacturer headquartered on the grounds of Toulouse Blagnac International Airport in Blagnac, France.

 

Iran Air ATR 72-600 (72-212A)

Registration: EP-ITA

Construction Number (MSN): 1386

First Flight: 03JAN2017

Test registration: F-WWEX

Production Site: Toulouse (TLS)

Airframe Status: On Order

Photo: Vilbert Mickael at TLS
Date: 22DEC2016

 

Iran Air ATR 72-600 (72-212A)

Registration: EP-ITC

Construction Number (MSN): 1391

First Flight: 28DEC2016

Test registration: F-WWEE

Production Site: Toulouse (TLS)

Airframe Status: On Order

Photo: Vilbert Mickael at TLS
Date: 28DEC2016

 

Iran Air ATR 72-600 (72-212A)

Registration: EP-ITB

Construction Number (MSN): 1389

Test registration: F-WWEC

Production Site: Toulouse (TLS)

Airframe Status: On Order

Photo: Vilbert Mickael at TLS
Date: 28DEC2016

Iran Air ATR 72-600 (72-212A) configuration: Y68