With reconciliation in the air at the Vienna talks to reinvigorate the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran Air has been trying to press Boeing BA +0.6% to revive a large order for jets signed in 2016.
Local media in Iran have reported that the national carrier has sent a letter to Boeing demanding it honor its commitments. Managing director Alireza Barkhor told the Islamic Republic News Agency that it wants to revive the contract for buying airplanes.
Road and Urban Development Minister Mohammad Eslami has also recently said Boeing should be held accountable for the delay in carrying out its contract with Iran Air, and that Iran reserves the right to take legal action over the delay. “Iranian companies have the right as per the contract to pursue their contract,” he said.
In the wake of the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran moved quickly to try and update its aging airline fleet. Most international sanctions were lifted in January 2016 and, by December of that year, Boeing announced that Iran Air had agreed to buy 80 aircraft worth $16.6 billion at list prices. The package included 50 737 Max 8s, 15 777-300ERs and 15 777-9s.
In April the following year, Boeing announced a deal with another Iranian airline, Iran Aseman Airlines, to buy 30 737 Max planes with a list price of $3 billion, with deliveries due to start in 2022.
In all, Iran’s airlines placed orders for more than 300 new aircraft and options for a further 50 planes from a combination of Boeing, Airbus and European turboprop maker ATR. However, just 11 ATR planes and three Airbus jets were delivered before the US began to reimpose sanctions.
It seems unlikely that deliveries will be able to start soon. Neither the Iran Air or the Iran Aseman Airlines deals are currently listed among Boeing’s published list of orders and deliveries.
In a brief statement from Boeing in response to questions for this article, the company said “Boeing will continue to follow the U.S. government’s lead with respect to engagement with Iranian airlines.” It did not confirm whether it had recently received any correspondence from Iran Air or other Iranian carriers, or what the status is of the 2016 order.
Source » trackpersia