Iran Air could be set to acquire its first new Boeing jet as early as next month after reportedly opting to pick up a 777-300ER originally destined for Turkish Airlines.

The Iranian flag-carrier has agreed to take 80 Boeing jets under an agreement which includes 15 777-300ERs.

Iran's Mehr news agency, citing deputy transport minister Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan, says the initial Boeing aircraft is a 777-300ER not taken up by Turkish Airlines.

Earlier this year Turkish Airlines disclosed that it would only take one 777-300ER this year, having converted two other 777-300ER orders to 777 freighters.

Iran Air has to option to take the aircraft within a month, according to the deputy minister, but this period could be longer if the airline wants to change the interior configuration, including the number of seats.

The carrier had originally indicated that its agreement with Boeing would result in the first 777 being delivered in 2018.

Iran Air has already started introducing the first of 100 Airbus aircraft ordered by the carrier, including a pair of Airbus A330s.

Source: Cirium Dashboard