UK & Iran Resume Air Links
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UK & Iran Resume Air Links
Independent: Britain and Iran sign agreement for up to six flights a day between the two countries
After decades of frosty aviation relations, Iran and Britain have signed an agreement for up to six flights a day between the two countries - leading to speculation that Tehran airport could seize back its role as the express route to the Orient.
In the days when Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai were mere dusty refuelling stops for intercontinental jets, the Iranian capital was an aviation crossroads. Budget travellers seeking “bucket shop” tickets to the East would often find themselves changing planes at unearthly hours to reach Delhi, Bangkok and Tokyo.
Iran Air, the oldest airline in the Middle East, at one time held the record for the longest scheduled flight: over 12 hours from Tehran to New York JFK. But the 1979 revolution and international sanctions over nuclear capabilities put paid to Iran’s aviation ambitions. Flights from London continued, though for a time the airline was not allowed to refuel at Heathrow and needed to make an additional stop at Manston in Kent on the journey to Tehran.
At present the only onward destinations from Imam Khomeini airport of interest to British travellers are Beijing, Bombay and Kuala Lumpur. But with an order book for more than 200 new jets, permission to fly more frequently to Britain and dormant flying rights to many other Asian cities, Iran Air is back on course.
Meanwhile, British Airways has announced a return to the city to which it first flew 70 years ago, but which it axed in 2012. Starting shortly after the end of Ramadan in July, the airline will fly six times a week from Heathrow to Tehran, going daily from October. With return fares as low as £384 for the 5,500-mile round trip, BA is seeking to attract tourists to Iran. The Islamic Republic's London embassy re-opened last August, making it easier to get a visa. But the tourism infrastructure is flimsy, and UK travellers who subsequently wish to visit the US will find the process much tougher with evidence of a stay in Iran.
The Foreign Office also warns: “Homosexual behaviour, adultery and sex outside of marriage are illegal under Iranian law and can carry the death penalty.”
The travel writer, Tony Wheeler, says of his most recent visit: “I can’t remember the last time I was treated with such hospitality. While dining alone in restaurants, I’d regularly get invited over to join another table. By the end of my visit I had a collection of photographs with Iranian families who wanted me to join the family snapshot.”
After decades of frosty aviation relations, Iran and Britain have signed an agreement for up to six flights a day between the two countries - leading to speculation that Tehran airport could seize back its role as the express route to the Orient.
In the days when Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai were mere dusty refuelling stops for intercontinental jets, the Iranian capital was an aviation crossroads. Budget travellers seeking “bucket shop” tickets to the East would often find themselves changing planes at unearthly hours to reach Delhi, Bangkok and Tokyo.
Iran Air, the oldest airline in the Middle East, at one time held the record for the longest scheduled flight: over 12 hours from Tehran to New York JFK. But the 1979 revolution and international sanctions over nuclear capabilities put paid to Iran’s aviation ambitions. Flights from London continued, though for a time the airline was not allowed to refuel at Heathrow and needed to make an additional stop at Manston in Kent on the journey to Tehran.
At present the only onward destinations from Imam Khomeini airport of interest to British travellers are Beijing, Bombay and Kuala Lumpur. But with an order book for more than 200 new jets, permission to fly more frequently to Britain and dormant flying rights to many other Asian cities, Iran Air is back on course.
Meanwhile, British Airways has announced a return to the city to which it first flew 70 years ago, but which it axed in 2012. Starting shortly after the end of Ramadan in July, the airline will fly six times a week from Heathrow to Tehran, going daily from October. With return fares as low as £384 for the 5,500-mile round trip, BA is seeking to attract tourists to Iran. The Islamic Republic's London embassy re-opened last August, making it easier to get a visa. But the tourism infrastructure is flimsy, and UK travellers who subsequently wish to visit the US will find the process much tougher with evidence of a stay in Iran.
The Foreign Office also warns: “Homosexual behaviour, adultery and sex outside of marriage are illegal under Iranian law and can carry the death penalty.”
The travel writer, Tony Wheeler, says of his most recent visit: “I can’t remember the last time I was treated with such hospitality. While dining alone in restaurants, I’d regularly get invited over to join another table. By the end of my visit I had a collection of photographs with Iranian families who wanted me to join the family snapshot.”
I wonder what happened to that hotel that used to be a morgue where we used to stay before moving to the Hilton? Perhaps it went back to a morgue with all the problems after the Shah was deposed.
Teheran before the revolution was a nice slip. Remember going to the German Club for a few good beers before dining out at the favourite crew restaurant (name escapes me) with some pretty reasonable Iranian wine (Shiraz is a place in Iran) and local brewed Stella beer. Happy days
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Flights from London continued, though for a time the airline was not allowed to refuel at Heathrow and needed to make an additional stop at Manston in Kent on the journey to Tehran.
* Charles Buchanan, who is now being 'ethical' at Lydd.
Back in the 1970s Iran Air was a top level airline with a safety record at QANTAS level. There is a huge domestic market, a diaspora of Iranians throughout the world and major business opportunities as the country opens up after nearly forty years of sanctions.
Tehran is better positioned as a transit hub then the current bases of the ME3. Unfortunately with no alcohol available, a headscarf requirement for women and visa issues it will be more suited to origin/destination traffic, the more adventurous travellers or those seeking rock bottom prices rather than being a normal option like Emirates.
The next five years should be interesting.
Tehran is better positioned as a transit hub then the current bases of the ME3. Unfortunately with no alcohol available, a headscarf requirement for women and visa issues it will be more suited to origin/destination traffic, the more adventurous travellers or those seeking rock bottom prices rather than being a normal option like Emirates.
The next five years should be interesting.
