Iran Airtour plans flights from Tehran to Europe
January 15, 2025
Private Mashhad-based airline Iran Airtour has unveiled plans to establish direct connections between Tehran and several European cities, starting with Paris.
The initiative comes despite continued sanctions by the European Union (EU) and the UK government, which have restricted the operations of other Iranian airlines in Europe and the United Kingdom.
Commencing on January 31, Iran Airtour will reportedly introduce biweekly flights linking Tehran and Paris. These services, scheduled on Mondays and Fridays, are expected to utilise the airline’s Airbus A300 aircraft.
Seyyed Reza Mousavi, the airline’s CEO, was reported as saying the route was just the beginning, with plans underway to expand the network to Germany, Spain, and Italy, with these additions expected by the end of March, coinciding with the close of the Iranian calendar year.
Iran Airtour’s expansion into European airspace comes after three years of groundwork, including obtaining the EU’s Third Country Operator (TCO) certification.
The sanctions, introduced in October 2024, have grounded several Iranian carriers, including Iran Air, Saha Airlines, and Mahan Air, over allegations of facilitating arms transfers to Russia for its role in the Ukraine conflict.
While the EU and UK governments maintain the sanctions are necessary, the Iranian government has categorically denied the accusations.
