IranAir buys 20 planes from Europe

IranAir has signed a contract to buy 20 planes from European aircraft maker ATR, Iranian deputy transport minister was quoted as saying today.

The deal comes after Iran, which had not directly purchased a Western-built plane in nearly 40 years, signed contracts with Europe’s Airbus and US rival Boeing last year to purchase about 180 jets.

The move comes after sanctions were lifted from Tehran last year.

Read: US sanctions firms helping Iran boost its missile capabilities

ATR is joint-owned by France-based Airbus and Leonardo of Italy.

“The contract between IranAir and ATR to buy 20 ATR 72-600 aircrafts has been signed by the officials of both countries,” Asghar Fakhrieh-Kashan was quoted as saying by ISNA.

A basic deal for the purchase of 20 airplanes, with options for another 20, was reached several weeks ago but negotiations dragged on over an agreement for maintenance and spare engines between IranAir and engine supplier Pratt & Whitney Canada, owned by US aerospace group United Technologies.