OMM Newsroom
Between 20 and 30 aircraft were destroyed during Iran’s war with the United States and Israel, the head of the country’s state-owned flag carrier said on Monday, Anadolu Agency reported, citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Taher Abdolhai, chief executive of “Iran Air”, also known as “HOMA”, said at a news conference that Iran needs about 1,000 passenger aircraft but currently has around 300.
Before the war, between 130 and 140 of those aircraft were operational, Abdolhai said. He added that 70 to 80 aircraft were targeted during the conflict.
Abdolhai said Israeli attacks had caused particularly severe damage to “Iran Air” aircraft. He said some aircraft operated by other companies were hit by single missiles, while one of his airline’s planes was completely destroyed.
He said international sanctions and restrictions had gradually weakened the airline’s operations, shrinking its operational fleet and limiting access to profitable routes. Difficulties obtaining spare parts, financial constraints and staffing challenges were among the main obstacles, he added.
“Iran Air” employs more than 9,000 people, Abdolhai said, stressing the need to improve efficiency as the number of operational aircraft declines.
He also opposed privatizing the national carrier, arguing that “Iran Air” serves strategic national interests beyond commercial aviation.
The remarks come amid continuing consequences of the US-Israeli war against Iran, which has caused extensive damage to the country’s military and civilian infrastructure.
US sanctions have restricted Iran’s access to new aircraft, spare parts, maintenance services and international financing. Washington’s 2018 withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the reimposition of sanctions disrupted aircraft purchases from “Boeing” and “Airbus”, leaving some planes grounded and increasing maintenance costs.
