Ibrahim Raisi Orders Eight Passenger Aircraft to Be Built

Following Ibrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, visiting Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Company (HESA), a member of the Presidium of the Islamic Consultative Assembly announced that the President has ordered the production of eight passenger aircraft.

According to Hamshahri Online, Hossein Ali Haji Deligani said on Thursday, June 16, at the joint administrative council meeting of Shahinshahr and Meymeh with Borkhar County: “The President, during his visit to HESA, ordered that eight passenger aircraft be produced at this organization before his next trip to Isfahan”.

FARS News Agency also quoted Ibrahim Raisi as saying that he has ordered the passenger aircraft manufacturing to HESA.

This order was given at a time when HESA’s only experience in passenger aircraft is the assembly of Ukraine’s Antonov aircraft, and the organization’s other activities are in the field of fighter jets and unmanned aircraft.

Iran cannot purchase passenger aircraft and their equipment from international markets due to sanctions, and the country’s aviation fleet is severely worn out. This sanctions regime had been lifted following the achievement of the JCPOA, but with the arrival of Donald Trump’s administration, it was re-imposed and initial agreements to purchase aircraft from companies such as Airbus and Boeing were cancelled.

Alireza Borkhur, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association of Iranian Airlines, announced last year that more than 50 percent of existing aircraft in the country are grounded due to lack of spare parts, especially engines.

Source: Radio Farda