Regional turboprop manufacturer ATR is hopeful that worsening relations between the US administration and Iran will not hinder its business relationship with Tehran.
ATR delivered eight aircraft to Iran Air in 2017 and plans to deliver a further 12 by the end of this year, as part of Iran’s effort to replace its antiquated civil air fleet.
ATR won its Iran Air order following the lifting of Western sanctions in return for Iran rolling back its nuclear program.
The Trump administration’s unhappiness with that deal, which has seen Washington DC recently impose new sanctions on the Middle East nation, potentially puts the continued supply of Western aircraft to Iran at risk, but ATR CEO Christian Scherer hopes ATR will be allowed to continue to work with Tehran.
Iran Air is using the new ATRs to revitalize domestic routes and bring people from remote parts of Iran to Tehran to expose them to the capital’s expanding economy.