TEHRAN – Iran’s private airline Iran Air Tours has announced that it will begin direct flights from Tehran to several European destinations, with Paris becoming the first city on its new route.
The move comes after the European Union and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions targeting other Iranian airlines, restricting flight operations to Europe and the United Kingdom.
Starting January 31, Iran Air Tours will begin regular weekly flights between Tehran and Paris using Airbus A300 aircraft. The flight operates every Monday and Friday and provides an important air link for Iranian nationals and travelers between Iran and France.
The airline’s CEO, Seyyed Reza Mousavi, confirmed that additional European routes, including to Germany, Spain and Italy, are being planned and are expected to open by the end of the Iranian calendar year. .
The launch of these flights follows three years of preparation, including securing Third Country Operator (TCO) approval from the EU, which certifies that Iran Air Tours meets European safety and operational standards. Ta. Mousavi expressed confidence that the airline will be able to fill flights, citing strong demand from passengers who are unable to travel directly between Iran and Europe due to ongoing sanctions.
The sanctions, introduced in October 2024, specifically target Iran Air, Saha Air, and Mahan Air, accused of facilitating the transfer of Iranian-made weapons to Russia for use in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. did. The Iranian government strongly denies these claims, arguing that the sanctions will have an undue impact on the general population, especially Iranian expatriates living in Europe.
Iran Airtours’ entry into the European market represents a strategic effort to bridge the gap left by sanctioned airlines, providing much-needed connections for both Iranian and European travelers.
Mousavi pointed out that Iran Air Tours’ compliance with international aviation standards shows that it is resilient in the face of political and economic challenges, and that He emphasized the airline’s commitment to service. He also predicted high load factors, especially on the new route to Paris, as many Iranian nationals and business travelers face great difficulty finding direct flight options due to sanctions.
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