Gerald Butt/NICOSIA
Iran Air is in discussions with Cyprus Airways regarding the acquisition of the latter's Airbus A310 fleet as the Iranian carrier prepares to expand and update its own Airbus fleet.
Representatives of the Cyprian airline are visiting Tehran this month to negotiate the possible sale of the four General Electric CF6-80C2-powered A310-200s. The 11-16 year old aircraft are being disposed of as the Cyprian airline finalises a fleet renewal deal for new Airbus or Boeing aircraft (Flight International, 26 September - 2 October 2000).
An Iranian delegation has visited Cyprus to carry out a preliminary inspection of the aircraft. Although talks are centred on agreeing the sale price, the deal is complicated by the fact that the A310s' engines are US-built, and a US trade embargo is still in force against Iran.
However, Cyprus Airways says that it believes that a way around that problem can be found. Although relations between the two states have been improving, the sanctions remain in place. But this did not stop Airbus delivering two new GE-powered A300-600Rs to Iran Air in 1993/94.
Iran Air is gearing up for a fleet replacement, and had earlier discussed the acquisition of six ex-THY Turkish Airlines A310s through Airbus. It is also understood to be taking an ex-Emirates A310-300 on lease from Airbus.
The A310 acquisition will be made alongside an earlier deal with Airbus for four Rolls-Royce Trent-powered A330s. Iran Air managing director Ahmad-Reza Kazemi confirms that three 5% progress payments have been made for the four A330s. Two are due for delivery this year and the others in 2002.
Iran's Industry Minister Gholamreza Shafei says that $7 billion will need to be spent on new and replacement aircraft for the airline. Although it operates two relatively young A300-600Rs and five 10-year old Fokker 100s, the remainder of Iran Air's fleet consists of ageing A300B4s and Boeing 727s, 737s and 747s. Four of the 747s are undergoing overhauls in France and Germany, although the airline has had difficulty obtaining spare parts at times because of the US embargo.
Cyprus Airways, meanwhile, expects to make a decision before the end of this month on whether to opt for Airbus or Boeing aircraft for its long-term fleet update. The airline has also yet to decide whether to buy or lease the aircraft - or opt for a mixed package.
Source: Flight International
