Iran Air - how do they maintain their aircraft?

[ChiefT]

Due to all the embargoes for Iran, I wonder, how Iran Air and other Iranian carriers maintain their aircraft, especially the ones with GE engines? I think especially the US has a strict ban on Iran.

[topcat450]

I could be out of date here but it used to be JALCO and Lufthansa Technik who did their engines.

[PIA747]

It still is the same. However i believe they have just acquired some degree of self sufficiency on the A300-600 fleet.

News Date: 10/04/2004
Summary: Fundamental repairs of an airbus A300-600 aircraft were accomplished for the first time in the country by IranAir experts.

Description: Fundamental repairs of an airbus A300-600 aircraft which have always been completed outside the country by spending remarkable expenses, were accomplished in the country on Eid-e Mabas Day (September, 11, 2004) by the efforts of IranAir engineers and experts and under the supervision of foreign specialists.
According to IranAir Public Relation`s announcement, regarding the need for fundamental repairs of such aircraft and considering the point that the time spent on accomplishing fundamental repairs of it inside the country in comparison with the outside was not considerable, and in order to use domestic potentialities, decrease the expenses and reach the independency, the procedures of repairs of this aircraft was started in the country.
It should be mentioned that all the procedures of the repairs including a full discoloration of the aircraft and painting it again, full inspection of the parts and resolving the problems, rebuilding the cabin and basic repairs in Homa Class, and completing all the needed repairs and maintenance on parts, engines and avionic systems were accomplished by IranAir experts and under the supervision of a French company.
It should be stated that after successful experimental flight, this craft accomplished its first journey from Tehran to Paris on September 14, 2004.
Moreover, sending the aircraft to other countries for such repairs requires above 4 million dollars while repairing it inside the country by considering all expenses due to the change of spare parts needs about 500,000 dollars.

[ChiefT]

The mentioned prices are hard to believe. I think they describe a D-Check on the A306, 4 Mio is a usual price for such an event, so how can they do it for 500,000?
Nevertheless, they obviously want to concentrate maintenance activities in one MRO, which was recently founded. But with the US ban it is difficult for them to get spares.

[stormin norman]

United states and french Bans are not normally enforced to anyone who can supply them with a bit of the black refining fluid.

[Boss Raptor]

As I understand the embargoes (certainly in UK) have only ever restricted export of 'dual use' technology/material i.e. that has military use - Iran Air then were affected as IRIAF had/has B707 and B747 aircraft just like Iran Air = banned...

A300/CF6 et al. therefore does not come under the embargo and Air France for one have been supplying support to Iran Air for years on these types and also the 747 which is not considered 'military' by the French. Similarly A330, F100 etc. etc. are not included in embargo as have no 'dual use'