Iran Air Begins Six-Month Heavy Maintenance on 38-Year-Old Boeing 747
Iran’s flag carrier, Iran Air, has begun extensive heavy maintenance on its 38-year-old Boeing 747-200C/F freighter. The aircraft, registered EP-ICD, is undergoing a D-Check, one of the most comprehensive maintenance procedures in aviation. The work, carried out by the airline’s own technical teams, is expected to take at least six months.
Manufactured in 1988 and part of Iran Air’s fleet since 2008, the aircraft has accumulated more than 86,000 flight hours and over 17,000 flight cycles. The maintenance process, which began on September 28, includes detailed inspections of the airframe structure, landing gear, and structural attachment points. For the first time in Iran, a Boeing 747 is also undergoing extensive structural inspections associated with the 20,000-flight-cycle maintenance threshold.
A D-Check is among the most extensive maintenance procedures performed during an aircraft’s operational life. The process involves dismantling numerous aircraft components to inspect for structural fatigue, corrosion, and potential damage. Due to its high cost and lengthy duration, this type of maintenance is performed relatively infrequently. Some aircraft are retired rather than undergoing such an expensive overhaul.
Facing difficulties in accessing spare parts and manufacturer support due to international sanctions, Iran Air is conducting the maintenance using its own engineering and technical capabilities. If additional issues requiring repairs are identified during inspections, the aircraft’s return to service could be delayed beyond the initially estimated six-month period.
