Russia’s flag carrier sends Airbus A330 for repair to Iran
Russia’s largest airline Aeroflot has sent one of its Western-made jets to Iran for repair amid sanctions that prevent the company from obtaining spare parts or undergoing maintenance in the West.
Reuters cited a statement by Aeroflot which said that an Airbus A330-300 aircraft operated by the company had flied to Iran to receive maintenance.
“The maintenance of the Airbus A330 aircraft (in Iran) will be implemented by a provider for a wide range of work,” said the statement.
“The firm has all the necessary material resources, certificates and extensive experience, (while) the provider performs maintenance with a high-quality level,” it added without naming the Iranian company that will carry out the repair.
The statement came after Russian media outlet the RBC first reported on the maintenance of Aeroflot jet in Iran.
Flight tracking data suggested the aircraft flew to Tehran on April 5 and has remained there until now.
Iranian transportation authorities had announced last year that Russian airlines were using the maintenance services provided by Iranian companies.
However, it is a first time that Russia’s flag carrier is sending a large Western jet to Iran for maintenance.
That comes amid joint efforts by Iran and Russia to undermine Western sanctions that have targeted the key sectors of their economies.
Russia intensified its efforts to use the experience of Iranian companies in countering Western sanctions since the country came under pressure by the United States and allies more than a year ago because of its involvement in the Ukraine war.