Only 7 to 8 Commercial Planes in Iran Fit to Fly: Experts

Aviation industry experts have said Iran's commercial aircraft fleet has only seven or eight airworthy planes. 

While regional competitors like the UAE, Qatar, and Turkey boast over 1,000 operational aircraft, Iran's reliable options are meager.

A report by Etemad cited experts who said most of the Iranian fleet needs recycling, which means dismantling and repurposing the materials. 

Only a handful of the aircraft remain airworthy, including three Airbus models, 13 ATR aircraft, and a select few Airbus 340s operated by Mahan Air.

The situation is further strained by grounded turboprop planes due to parts shortages. 

These 13 aircraft, with a capacity of around 70 passengers each, could potentially offer some relief. However, they remain out of service.

"Approximately 20 passenger planes in the country are currently operational, with 13 being turboprops capable of carrying 70 passengers each," experts told Etemad. 

"These turboprops have been grounded due to a shortage of parts. Meanwhile, the remaining seven to eight planes designated for both domestic and international flights are also grappling with parts shortages," they added.