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Iran to buy 114 Airbuses to revamp ageing fleet

– Talks with Boeing –

Iran’s airports also need $250 million (230 million euros) worth of upgrades in navigation systems, Akhoundi said.

Only nine of Iran’s 67 airports are currently operational.

Iran has suffered several air crashes in recent years blamed on ageing planes, poor maintenance and a shortage of new parts.

News of the Airbus deal came as aviation industry representatives from 85 companies met in Tehran on Sunday to assess opportunities in the Islamic republic after sanctions were removed.

“It’s a really exciting time, there’s never been a situation like this,” said Peter Harbison, the head of the CAPA consultancy which organised the conference.

“A whole array of different aviation services and new jobs obviously are going to be created,” Harbison told AFP.

“Aviation is one of those industries that creates massive economic flow-on benefits, so tourism will expand, so you’ll need more infrastructure growth in hotels and right across the board.”

Akhoundi said Sunday Iran was also negotiating with US plane manufacturer Boeing, but provided no details.

He said Iran was in talks with the United States on the possibility of reopening direct air routes, which were cut after the 1979 hostage crisis that ended all diplomatic ties between the two countries.

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Rouhani’s European tour will see him seeking to restore commercial ties with Italy and France, which were among Tehran’s main economic partners before the tightening of international sanctions in January 2012.

Competition to tap the Iranian market has been fierce as it emerges from international isolation.

Meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, Rouhani said the two countries aim to build up economic ties worth up to $600 billion in the next 10 years.

They signed a slew of trade agreements, including a $2 billion contract for China to electrify the railway line linking Tehran with second city Mashhad.

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