Iran has long been sanctioned by the United States (and before 2015 by the Europeans and other countries). This has cut Iran off from official channels to purchase new commercial aircraft and forced Iran to scavenge on the black market for components to keep its aging fleet of passenger aircraft flying . So what aircraft is Iran's flag carrier, Iran Air , operating, and what are its scheduled flights for 2025? While Iran possesses a functional commercial airline industry, it is likely far below the country's current requirements.
It is also incredibly inefficient, forcing the government to prop it up with subsidies (e.g., aviation fuel costs 10 cents per liter).
Iran's world of sanctions and sanction-busting Iran has many airlines operating (although these airlines only have a few aircraft operational). Overall, Iran is thought to only have around 150 aircraft operational out of an inventory of 300-350. Iran estimates it needs a fleet of 550 aircraft to meet its needs.
Iran has also been able to supplement its existing fleet by purchasing second-hand retired aircraft (often A340s) through shell companies. For example, four old ex-Turkish Airways Airbus A340s took off from South Africa's Johannesburg in 2022, ostensibly bound for their new owners in Uzbekistan. Only they diverted and landed at their new home in Tehran instead.
Iran has obtained enough A340s and Boeing 747s to enable it to lease some of these old (but flying) aircraft to also sanctioned Venezuela (Venezuela's c.
