Airbus Says Iran Air Received First New Widebody Plane Since Sanctions Relief
11 March 2017 - 2:11AM
Dow Jones News
By Robert Wall
LONDON--Airbus SE said Friday it had delivered the first
long-range airliner to Iran since the easing of sanctions on the
country, marking another milestone for controversial agreements the
European plane maker and rival Boeing Co. struck last year to
replenish Iran's aging fleet of planes.
Airbus handed over an A330 widebody plane to Iran Air only two
months after it delivered a new short-haul plane to the Iranian
flag carrier. The deliveries are part of a 100 aircraft order Iran
Air placed with Airbus. The airline also plans to take delivery of
80 long- and short-range planes from Boeing. The orders are worth
more than $34.5 billion at list price, though buyers typically get
deep discounts.
The aircraft deals have angered U.S. lawmakers opposed to the
nuclear deal Western powers agreed to with Iran. The accord struck
in 2015 eases sanctions on Iran in return for Tehran agreeing on
limits to its nuclear program. Critics of the pact have tried to
block the aircraft sales from proceeding, introducing measures in
Congress to bar financing the purchases.
Before his election, U.S. President Donald Trump was critical of
the nuclear deal. The President hasn't said whether he will try to
undo the deals since taking office in January.
Big plane leasing companies this year have said they are
reluctant to place planes in Iran until there is greater certainty
over U.S. policy on the topic.
Other companies also have slowed efforts to do business in Iran
following the election of Mr. Trump.
Iran is in dire need of modern planes. Its commercial aircraft
fleet is one of the world's oldest following sanctions that have
spanned decades and made obtaining aircraft and parts
difficult.
The first Boeing plane isn't due for delivery to Iran Air until
next year. Both Boeing, the world's No. 1 plane maker, and Airbus
received U.S. licenses for the plane purchases before they were
completed in December.
Airbus said Iran Air is due to receive 44 more new A330s. The
plane handed over Friday has 32 business class seats and 206 in
economy.
Write to Robert Wall at robert.wall@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 10, 2017 09:56 ET (14:56 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2017 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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