Airline

"United Arab Emirates’ flydubai continues to operate flights to Iran, including to Tehran, a spokeswoman said." (Reuters, "Factbox: Flights to Tehran canceled after Canada says Iranian missile brought down Ukraine jet," 1/10/2020).

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FlyDubai ended its Dubai - Bandar Abbas and Dubai-Tehran Imam Khomeini route on January 31, 2018. It continues to operate 3 weekly flights from Dubai - Mershad. (February 12, 2018)

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"The opening of a new air corridor between two neighboring countries rarely captures the attention of the world's media. But when Emirates Airline launched flights from Dubai to Mashhad on 1 September, everyone knew the UAE flag-carrier was thinking about much more than its own bilateral links with Iran. Air traffic between the two countries has been rising since long before July's landmark nuclear agreement... FlyDubai has followed suit by expanding its Iranian network from two to nine destinations this year, while Etihad has more than doubled frequencies on its Abu Dhabi-Tehran route. Much the same script is being followed across the water in Doha, where flag-carrier Qatar Airways has grown seat capacity on its three Iranian routes by 30% since last summer." (Al Arabiya, "Iran plays catch-up in Gulf aviation boom," 9/13/15)

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“Dubai-based airline flydubai today announced the launch of flights to Mashhad and Tehran, the carrier’s first two destinations in Iran, starting from August 10 and 11, respectively. flydubai will serve Iran with four flights a week, providing passengers with greater convenience when travelling between the UAE and Iran. With a network of 77 destinations the carrier is looking to expand its network in the market as it continues to strengthen trade and travel links from Dubai to the region.” (Khaleej, "Flydubai launches flights to Iran starting next week," 8/3/14)

"Vertir Airlines is a cargo-service airline -- "Nineteen people and companies in Europe and Asia acted as middlemen for Iranian airline Mahan Air, helping it procure supplies from the United States in violation of U.S. sanctions, the U.S. Commerce Department said on Wednesday. The regulatory notice from the department posted online provided further insight into the operations of Mahan Air, a commercial airline that the United States has accused of providing funds and transport for Iran's elite forces and flying weapons to Syria. The notice charged that the middlemen 'engaged in the development and operation of an illicit aviation procurement network designed to evade the U.S. government's sanctions against Iran.' A majority of the companies and people are based in Turkey, and others are in Armenia, Greece, Iran, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. They included Greece's Aeolian Airlines and Armenia's Vertir Airlines, both small charter firms. The Commerce Department added the firms to its 'Entity List,' which largely prohibits them from buying restricted items from the United States, such as aircraft engines or spare parts…Commerce first blacklisted Mahan Air in 2008, after it found the company imported three Boeing Co 747 jumbo jets into Iran without U.S. authorization. Britain's Balli Group Plc later paid $2 million in criminal fines and $15 million in civil fines tied to the same charges. Mahan Air later continued to violate U.S. export laws, trying to find ways to obtain aircraft, engines and computer motherboards from the United States, according to previous Commerce notices. The Treasury Department has also accused Mahan Air of ferrying troops, equipment and weapons to support the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war." (Reuters, "U.S. says firms helped Iranian airline skirt sanctions," 12/11/13)

"Nineteen people and companies in Europe and Asia acted as middlemen for Iranian airline Mahan Air, helping it procure supplies from the United States in violation of U.S. sanctions, the U.S. Commerce Department said on Wednesday. The regulatory notice from the department posted online provided further insight into the operations of Mahan Air, a commercial airline that the United States has accused of providing funds and transport for Iran's elite forces and flying weapons to Syria. The notice charged that the middlemen 'engaged in the development and operation of an illicit aviation procurement network designed to evade the U.S. government's sanctions against Iran.' A majority of the companies and people are based in Turkey, and others are in Armenia, Greece, Iran, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. They included Greece's Aeolian Airlines and Armenia's Vertir Airlines, both small charter firms. The Commerce Department added the firms to its 'Entity List,' which largely prohibits them from buying restricted items from the United States, such as aircraft engines or spare parts…Commerce first blacklisted Mahan Air in 2008, after it found the company imported three Boeing Co 747 jumbo jets into Iran without U.S. authorization. Britain's Balli Group Plc later paid $2 million in criminal fines and $15 million in civil fines tied to the same charges. Mahan Air later continued to violate U.S. export laws, trying to find ways to obtain aircraft, engines and computer motherboards from the United States, according to previous Commerce notices. The Treasury Department has also accused Mahan Air of ferrying troops, equipment and weapons to support the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war." (Reuters, "U.S. says firms helped Iranian airline skirt sanctions," 12/11/13)

Lists contact information for a Tehran, Iran office on its company website.

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All Gulf Flights between American cities (including from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, and New York) and London Heathrow "are operated by American Airlines."

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"Bahrain's flagship carrier Gulf Air says it will resume routes to Iran more than two years after suspending flights over claims that Tehran's leaders support a Shiite-led uprising in the Gulf kingdom. Next month's restoration of air service is a rare thaw in relations. Air links with Iran were cut after the beginning of the protests in February 2011 by Bahrain's Shiite majority seeking a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled nation. Shiite-power Iran has lauded the ongoing demonstrations, but denies giving any direct assistance. The independent newspaper Al Wasat reported Thursday that flights will resume Dec. 15 to the eastern Iranian city of Mashhad, which has an important Shiite shrine. Gulf Air confirmed the report. Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet." (ABC News, "Bahrain to Resume Air Route to Iran," 11/7/13)

"Malaysian airline AirAsia has suspended flights to three destinations in Thailand, Philippines and Iran. Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tehran will be suspended effective April 23. The last flight to the destination will depart on April 20." (Financial Tribune, "AirAsia Suspends Three Routes," 2/20/2018). 

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In January 2017, AIRASIA X, the low-cost arm of AirAsia added more flights to Tehran from Kuala Lumpur six months after resuming its flight to the capital of Iran. AirAsia resumed its direct flight to Tehran on June 21, 2016.

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"Foreign airlines, including Malaysia's AirAsia and Britain's BMI, are ceasing services to Iran amid its mounting economic problems spurred on by Western sanctions. AirAsia announced it was suspending its four flights a week between Kuala Lumpur and Tehran from next Sunday because of challenging business conditions, notably the 'volatility of the Iranian currency.'" (The Daily Star, "Airlines stop Iran flights as currency crisis bites," 10/8/2012)

"Qatar Airways will continue to fly to Iran and has not lost any bookings during a recent spike in Middle East tensions, Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker said on Wednesday." (Reuters, "Qatar Airways to continue to fly to Iran - CEO," 1/15/2020).

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"Qatar Airways operated two early morning services to Tehran on Friday, according to its website." (Reuters, "Factbox: Flights to Tehran canceled after Canada says Iranian missile brought down Ukraine jet," 1/10/2020).

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"Flight Radar data shows increased traffic over Iran indicating Qatar Airways is working with the Islamic Republic to reroute flights to other destinations over Iranian airspace. The airspace over Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt is closed for any Qatar registered aircraft due to sudden political issues." (July 5, 2017).

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"Though Qatar has followed in the footsteps of most of its Gulf neighbors by recalling its ambassador to Tehran yesterday, the country does not appear to be completely cutting off ties to Iran, as Saudi Arabia has done. For example, though the kingdom has stopped flights to and from Iran, Qatar’s national carrier has no plans to do the same. Speaking to Doha News, a Qatar Airways spokesperson said that it had no information regarding the suspension of flights to and from the three Iranian cities the airline flies to, adding that travelers can still book tickets to Tehran, Mashhad and Shiraz online." (January 7, 2016).

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"Outside carriers including Qatar Airways Ltd. have increased services to Iran to fill gaps where the Islamic republic’s own operators are struggling to operate." (Bloomberg, "Iran Air Lifts Foreign Fares 90% as Sanctions Push Up Fuel Costs," 11/25/2012)

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"Relief, it appears, will come from Qatar Airways, which has been tapped to take over an unspecified number of domestic flights within Iran. The unprecedented announcement was promptly followed by news that the Doha-based airline plans to greatly expand its flight offerings to Iranian cities... Few details were provided, but based on the agreement Qatar Airways will have to cooperate with Iranian airlines as required by Iranian regulations banning foreign companies from operating domestic routes. The measure is also seen by some as a means of countering sanctions... 'Allowing Qatar or any other foreign country to operate some of our domestic flight is aimed at diminishing the pressure of the sanctions, and it is a suitable policy under the current conditions,' Iranian lawmaker Ali Akbar Moghanjoughi was quoted as saying about the agreement... For its part Qatar Airways announced on October 31 a '150 percent increase in overall frequency' of its flights to Iran beginning December 1. The airline said there will be an additional 31 flights each week from Doha, with the historic city Isfahan being added as a destination city. Qatar Airways has already flights to three major Iranian cities: Tehran, Mashhad, and Shiraz... 'Today's announcement is a historic moment showing the strengthening of ties between our two countries,' Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said... 'It's going to be seen -- in Washington certainly -- as one more example of Qatar not being as cooperative as United States would like about sanctions. I don't think Qatar is violating any laws here but they're certainly violating the spirit of isolating Iran,' Hounshell said... 'Iran Air was founded 25 years (in 1946) before Qatar gained its [independence] (in 1971), 'read a message widely shared on Facebook that warned, 'Qatar is conquering Iran's airspace.'... On the other hand, she says, people will feel safer flying with Qatar Airways instead of Iranian airlines that have suffered a number of tragic accidents in recent years... 'I will definitely choose Qatar Airways over those Soviet-made planes, even if I have to pay more,' says one man in Tehran, noting that officials have announced that the cost of the Qatar Airways-operated flights would be 25 percent higher than those run by Iranian airlines." (Radio Farda, "Qatar Conquers Iran's Airspace," 11/5/2011)

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In a press release published on its site, Qatar Airways announced 31 extra flights/week across four Iranian cities, representing 150% capacity hike, beginning in January 2012. (Qatar Airways, "Press Releases," 10/31/2011).

In November 2017, Iran discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of air industries with Antonov company CEO. Iran and Antonov company have been cooperating in the production and operation of aircrafts for two decades.

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"The Persian Gulf country will buy two Ukrainian-made Antonov-158s, after a test flight of the aircraft earlier this month, Mohammad-Ali Sirati, managing director of the Iranian aircraft company, was cited as saying by the official Islamic Republic News Agency. The countries then will start to jointly build the aircraft next year, Sirati, whose company will be in charge of the project, said in Tehran yesterday. Some 30 percent of each plane will be made in Iran, state-run media reported." (Business Week, "Iran Says Antonov-158 Built With Ukraine May Fly in 2013," 10/6/2011)

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Antonov lists on its website that their AN-24 turboprop aircraft is serially produced at HESA plant in Isfahan, Iran. (Antonov website)

“The armed forces closed down the recently inaugurated Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) on 8th May.  Because of security concerns, the armed forces closed the airport after a commercial airliner landed at the airport.  This was the first aircraft to land at IKIA. The armed forces announced that the decision to entrust the airport’s operation to a foreign company ‘threatens the security of the country as well as its dignity. The airport was built and was expected to be run by Turkish-Austrian consortium Tepe-Akfen-Vie (TAV). Iran’s two domestic airlines had announced that they would not transfer their operations to the airport.” (Zawya, “New Imam Khomeini Airport Closed after First Flight,” May 2004)

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The Guardian Council, comprising six Islamic clerics and six lay jurists, has in effect become an upper house of parliament. The council can vet all legislation passed by the Majlis and veto any laws that it judges do not comply with Islamic law or Irans constitution. Its influence was most apparent in 2004 and 2005 when it ratified legislation giving the Majlis retroactive veto power over two major foreign investment contracts, those of Turkcell (Turkey) and Tepe-Akfen-Vie (a joint Austrian-Turkish consortium). (Economist Intelligence Units Country Commerce Select, The operating environment: Political conditions, March 19, 2008)

In their 2010 10-k form to the SEC, World Fuel Services Corp. disclosed information regarding their ventures in Iran. 

"From time to time, certain of our subsidiaries have had limited business dealings in countries subject to comprehensive OFAC-administered sanctions, specifically Iran.  We provided to the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC"), in response to an administrative subpoena, information regarding all transactions by the Company involving Iran. Pursuant to licenses issued by OFAC, Company subsidiaries purchase overflight permits from Iran. Payments for overflight permits are made to the Iranian Civil Aviation Authority. The Company's subsidiaries have also provided certain services (e.g., procuring ground handling services and landing permits and providing flight plans) and supplied fuel in connection with passenger flights to and from the country. the Company has recently discovered one instance in which one of its subsidiaries arranged for the sale of marine fuel to a Singapore-owned and operated vessel while it was at port in Bandar Abbas, Iran.  The Company recently supplied fuel in the United States to an Iranian government owned aircraft in connection with the Iranian government's participation at meetings of the United Nations." (10-K for WORLD FUEL SERVICES CORP, 2/25/2010)

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A subsidiary of World Fuel Services Corp, Tramp Oil Marine and Aviation, lists in its directory that it is involved in fuel services with nine airports in Iran. "This booklet lists over 2,000 airports where Tramp Oil Aviation Ltd can offer jet fuel supplies on an into-plane basis." (Tramp Oil & Marine Website)

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"The Bush administration's record enforcing export laws is mixed. The Office of Foreign Assets Control let the statute of limitations expire in at least 25 cases involving trade with Iran from 2002 to 2005, according to one internal department audit. The companies involved, disclosed to the AP under the Freedom of Information Act, include Acterna Corp., American Export Lines, Parvizian Masterpieces, Protrade International Corp., Rex of New York, Shinhan Bank, Phoenix Biomedical Corp., World Cargo Alliance and World Fuel Services...World Fuel Services said an employee fueled a ship out of Singapore that turned out to be Iranian-owned, and the U.S. government spotted it from a wire transfer." (The Daily Herald, "From bull semen to bras, Iran still buys American Products," 7/8/2008)

The Balli Group, a holding entity of trading companies, maintains an office in Tehran, Iran. (Company Website)

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“Balli Aviation Ltd., a subsidiary of the United Kingdom-based Balli Group PLC, pleaded guilty today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a two-count criminal information in connection with its illegal export of commercial Boeing 747 aircraft from the United States to Iran, announced David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Channing D. Phillips, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; Thomas Madigan, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement; and Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Under the plea agreement, Balli Aviation Ltd. agreed to pay a $2 million criminal fine and be placed on corporate probation for five years. The $2 million fine, combined with a related $15 million civil settlement among Balli Group PLC, Balli Aviation Ltd., the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), that was also announced today, represents one of the largest fines for an export violation in BIS history. Under the terms of the related civil settlement, Balli Group PLC and Balli Aviation Ltd. have agreed to pay a civil penalty of $15 million of which $2 million will be suspended if there are no further export control violations. In addition, Balli Aviation Ltd. and Balli Group PLC are denied export privileges for five years, although this penalty will be suspended provided that neither Balli Aviation nor Balli Group commits any export violations and pays the civil penalty.  Under the terms of the settlement, Balli Group PLC and Balli Aviation, Ltd. will also have to submit the results of an independent audit of its export compliance program to BIS and OFAC for each of the next five years.” (U.S. Department of Justice, “U.K. Firm Pleads Guilty to Illegally Exporting Boeing 747 Aircraft to Iran,” 2/5/10)