Iran and the A380

[ORAC]

The Airbus order signed contains 12 A380s. If reports are true that they intend to use their location to challenge Emirates, Turkish etc as a well placed intercontinental hub, it could lead to a lot more sales......

Bigger than Dubai?

Iran is targeting more than fleet renewal after the lifting of aviation sanctions

Could Iran Become the Next Dubai, an Aviation Superpower?

[Meesterredmist]

Very interesting , they'd have a lot of cultural changes to make and a change in their attitude to alcohol for a start !

[Landflap]

Get in now before you are just a number on the long-list. Welcome back Iranair.

[Stuff]

While I see the logic, I won't be using Iran as a travel hub until the US rescinds their ESTA exclusions.

The United States today began implementing changes under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (the Act). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) welcomes more than a million passengers arriving to the United States every day and is committed to facilitating legitimate travel while maintaining the highest standards of security and border protection. Under the Act, travelers in the following categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).

[vctenderness]

Now let me think shall I travel through Dubai or Teheran? Dubai,Teheran, Dubai, Teheran.....difficult NOT!!!

[Icelanta]

This ESTA exclusion is very easily avoided by having 2 passports, which is a simple request to your local authority for Airline pilots.

[MathFox]

I am partially with Landflap: order now, you may always cancel or resell the plane.

Secondly there is a lot of old aircraft that is past needing replacement...

And there is the local market, Iran is a big country and even an a380 might be filled on some national routes. The a380 will certainly come in handy for hajj charters to Mecca.

Add some smaller planes for routes to Asia and Europe for both the local market and people with destination Iran (an oil producing country...)

[tdracer]

Somehow, as long as Iran prohibits serving any sort of alcohol on it's flights, I suspect it's appeal for long haul travel and a major international hub will be rather limited.

[ExDubai]

What will they serve in first/business, Moet or Saudi Champagne?

[Consol]

Don't forget most nationalities require a visa for Iran. Unless they have an extensive airside set up it makes transiting more difficult if disruption happens. Not to mention women having to wear veils and no booze on flights. Hardly appealing to most international travellers.

[skydiver69]

The choice of in flight entertainment and food might also be a little limited given the Islamic Republic's politics. Iranian airports aren't the most user friendly with limited duty free and shopping opportunities, and as others have pointed out the flights would also be dry. As such I think the stories the OP linked might be more pie in the sky than reality.

[Hotel Tango]

I think Landflap was thinking of pre-revolution Iranair. Now that was something else!

[Metro man]

Back in the 1970s, Iran Air was a top level airline with a safety record equal to QANTAS. They managed to keep going through over thirty years of sanctions.

With the business opportunities becoming available and the large Iranian diaspora the airlines future is very bright. Unfortunately I can't see them serving alcohol and women will need to cover up so they will have limited appeal like Saudi Arabian or Kuwait Airways. A stopover 72 hour visa on arrival similar to China would be a major boost as there are a few sights worth seeing.

I can see Iran Air being a good origin/destination airline and a cheap option for transit flights for adventurous and budget travellers.

[slowjet]

I think LANDFLAP was also looking at employment / recruitment opportunity too. Far too early for anyone to join the recruitment list. Pre- revolution of 1979 was THE place to be. Those who were there lost the lot after the change.
Post revolution (?) no thanks. Lots of changes to be made by the current regime before they can claim a "long-list" of employment seekers. But, we professional pilots always seem to be attracted by the latest shiny big jets and fat wallets, eh ?

[Andy_S]

Heavens, it must have been at least a week since the last discussion on the A380........

[bafanguy]

slowjet,

"Lots of changes to be made by the current regime before they can claim a "long-list" of employment seekers."

Has recruiting begun already ?

https://www.pilotcareercentre.com/Pi...Air%20-%20IRAN

[The Ancient Geek]

Given the current order backlog at Airbus it will be several years before they get many aircraft.
They will most likely start off with an assortment of dry leases and build their services slowly.

[Roadster280]

Originally Posted by Icelanta

This ESTA exclusion is very easily avoided by having 2 passports, which is a simple request to your local authority for Airline pilots.

"Have you been to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria since 2011, yes or no".

If you lie, and are found out, you are done. Lengthy ban from the US, can never use the VWP again. Lack of integrity might mean employment consequences too.

[Una Due Tfc]

Do you actually count as having entered the country while transiting without leaving the airport?

[despegue]

Where I have been is non of the US damn business.
2 passports works and is even recommended by my authority.

Just like when visiting Israel, Saudi, Iran for the job, 2 passports to avoid trouble.
Legal.

By the way, Roadster280, how exactly will the US find out that I ever did a layover in Khartoum?!