In a bold move against international sanctions, Iran’s Islamic Republic quietly acquired five second-hand Boeing 777-200ER aircraft previously run by Singapore Airlines and Noksuoot. The aircraft stored in Australia and Cambodia have been transferred through a complex arrangement involving a shell company registered in Madagascar. These widebody jets, currently listing the Madagascar registration prefix “5R”, are the first to join the Iranian civilian fleet. They are already changing the future of Iran’s aviation and tourism.
The new addition is widely believed to be doomed to Mahan Air, Iran’s largest civil airline that has long been operating under US sanctions. Despite restrictions, Mahan continues in parts of the Middle East, Asia and Europe. With the addition of the Long-Range Boeing 777, airlines are expected to increase international connections and compete more effectively in local markets.
The expansion of the fleet is at a critical time for Iran. This is because the country is pursuing a tourism-driven strategy to attract foreign visitors and reintegrate into the global travel circuit. Larger aircraft allow airlines to offer broader long-haul destinations, particularly from major markets such as Central Asia, Europe and the Gulf Coast.
MNA