Iran: Plane deal reached with Boeing

Iran said on Tuesday that it had reached a deal with the global aviation giant Boeing over the purchase of new planes – what could set a new milestone in the country’s efforts to revamp its aging air fleet.

According to Press TV, Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi has been quoted by the media as saying that the deal with Boeing has been finalized, adding that its details will be announced within the next few days.

Akhoundi added that Iran has been able to save at least $5 million in its last negotiations over the finalization of the purchase.

The media on 6 June quoted Farhad Parvaresh, the head of the national flag carrier airline of the Islamic Republic - Iran Air - as saying that a “historic aircraft purchase deal” with Boeing was expected to be sealed in the near future.

"Meetings and negotiations are going on. We hope that in the future we can reach an understanding with each other," Parvaresh told Reuters in an interview.

"The number and type of aircraft have to be discussed in the future, but the first step is to have a mutual understanding."

In January, Iran signed a major deal worth $27 billion with Airbus to purchase 118 planes from the company. The deal with Airbus was sealed during a state visit to Paris by Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.

Apart from Airbus and Boeing, Iran is also negotiating with several other global aviation giants over the purchases of planes including Bombardier and Embraer.

SS