Iranian airline Iran Air has successfully added two Airbus A330-200 aircraft to its fleet despite ongoing international sanctions. On the evening of April 19, the aircraft, registered EP-IJC and EP-IJD, arrived in Tehran, where they underwent painting and cabin interior work.
Both aircraft were manufactured in 2012 and, although 13 years old, have only accumulated around seven years of actual flight service. Due to financial crises among Chinese airlines and the impact of the pandemic, the jets had been stored for about five to six years.
⚠ Iran’s civil aviation sector has faced significant restrictions since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, primarily due to international sanctions led by the United States. These sanctions have made it extremely difficult for Iranian airlines to procure new aircraft and spare parts, forcing them to operate aging fleets and endure major maintenance challenges.
⚠ After the 2015 Nuclear Agreement (JCPOA), Iran briefly signed aircraft deals with major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. However, following the U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018, those efforts were halted again. Today, Iran’s civil aviation sector relies heavily on indirect methods through third countries to obtain necessary spare parts.
