The A300 was Airbus’ first aircraft and there are only a few places left where it is still in
service. In fact, Iran is one of the countries where the plane flies with several airlines.
Let’s find out why this is...
The short answer is that this is not really by choice;
it actually results from sanctions that prevent airlines from renewing fleets.
You see, back in the 1970s, airlines in Iran had some large and modern fleets.
Flag carrier Iran Air, operated a sizeable and diverse fleet by the 70s. It took delivery of
brand new 707s and 727s in the 60s and 70s and would go on to also operate new 737s and 747s.
It introduced the Airbus A300 in 1978 and first used these on regional routes.
For all of its ambitions, the airline’s expansion, both in fleet and destinations,
soon hit difficulties. Sanctions against Iran were put in place,
and have remained more or less in place since. The first sanctions came about due to the
hostage-taking at the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979. These sanctions were
later extended during the Iran-Iraq War and as a response to the Iranian nuclear program.
Sanctions affected many areas of trade and the freezing of Iranian assets.
But, critically for aviation, they included a ban on trade
with any US manufacturers. It also prevented airlines from purchasing aircraft parts,
new or used. Restrictions have even extended to servicing, with some countries
refusing to even refuel Iranian aircraft. Sanctions have prevented Iranian airlines
from purchasing new aircraft. They have instead had to repair and maintain existing aircraft
but have managed some secondhand purchases. Even non-US purchases are difficult as aircraft
contain US parts. There has been interest in the Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100, for example,
but this has more than 10% US-manufactured components, so is covered by the sanctions.
Maintenance has not been easy either, with limited access to second-hand parts.
According to an analysis by the Washington Institute,
as of 2019, 23 airlines had a total fleet of 300 aircraft but could only operate 156
of these due to repair and parts difficulties. Interestingly though, the A300 has fared better
than many other aircraft. For example, Iran Air has retired all its Boeing jets:
The 707 lasted until 2000, the 727 until 2014, and the 747 until 2016. The A300s were some of
the last new aircraft to be delivered but still have an average age of over 30 years.
Of the 561 A330s built, less than half are still in service. Although
most of these fly as freighters. Of the passenger airlines still
operating the A300 in 2020, Iranian airlines take the top four places.
Iran Air has 10. Mahan Air has 9.
Qeshm Air has 4 And Meraj Airlines operates two.
The past few years have seen the first new aircraft enter the fleet of Iranian
airlines since the 1970s. There have been much less than hoped for, however.
It should be noted that sanctions were lifted under President Obama in 2016,
after the signing of a nuclear deal in 2015. While huge orders placed very quickly,
fulfilment of these came to a stop when sanctions were re-introduced in 2018.
Only three Airbus and 13 ATR aircraft were delivered.
The appetite is clearly there for more aircraft. Whether they can be delivered depends on
what happens to sanctions going forward. Do you think sanctions will be lifted any
time soon? If so, which aircraft do you think should be ordered? Let us know in the comments.