Boeing

Iran’s state-owned carrier Iran Air has entered into a deal to buy 100 aircraft from US plane maker Boeing, marking a major step in US-Iran economic relations after sanctions were lifted on Tehran last year.

Potentially worth $25bn at list prices, the deal is yet to receive necessary approvals from the US and Iran Governments.

Once approved, Iran Air will purchase aircrafts mainly from the new generation of Boeing 737 and 777 type aircraft.

The 737 family of aircraft are single-aisle jets and typically used for flights of up to 5h, while, the 777 is a larger plane that can transport passengers for 12h or beyond.

Boeing was quoted by BBC as saying: "Boeing will continue to follow the lead of the US Government with regards to working with Iran’s airlines, and any and all contracts with Iran’s airlines will be contingent upon US Government approval."

However, Boeing has not disclosed further details of the deal.

"Boeing will continue to follow the lead of the US Government with regards to working with Iran’s airlines."

With the purchase, Iran’s civil aviation authority is planning to modernise its fleet by including between 400 and 500 aircraft over the next ten years.

In January, a separate deal was announced between French aerospace firm Airbus and Iran Air and is still waiting for approval from regulators in the US where a number of Airbus’ parts are manufactured.

The deal was for 118 new aircraft, reported Associated Press.

Iran has also ordered 20 aircraft from French-Italian aircraft maker ATR.

Image: Iran Air will purchase aircraft mainly from the new generation of Boeing 737 and 777 type aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.