Mahan Air
![]() | |||||||
| |||||||
Founded | 1991[1] | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commenced operations | June 1992 | ||||||
Hubs | |||||||
Focus cities | |||||||
Frequent-flyer program | Mahan and Miles | ||||||
Fleet size | 54[2][3][4] | ||||||
Destinations | 44 | ||||||
Parent company | Mol-Al-Movahedin Institute | ||||||
Headquarters | Aryashahr,Tehran,Iran | ||||||
Key people | Hamid Arabnejad, Chairman &CEO[5] | ||||||
Employees | 4,719 (2017)[6] | ||||||
Website | www |
Mahan Airlines,operating under the nameMahan Air(Persian:هواپیمایی ماهان,romanized:Havâpeymâyi-ye Mâhân), is a privately ownedIranian airlinebased inTehran,Iran.[7][8]It operates scheduled domestic services and international flights to the Far East, Middle East, Central Asia and Europe. Its main home bases areTehran Imam Khomeini International AirportandMehrabad International Airport.
History
[edit]Early developments
[edit]Mahan Air was established in 1991 as a Full-Service Carrier (FSC) and began operations in June 1992 as Iran's first private airline. The name of Mahan is taken from the city ofMahaninKerman Province.The airline is wholly owned by the Mol-Al-Movahedin Charity Institute.[citation needed]
Three Airbus A300B4 passenger aircraft were acquired in 1999, and in 2002 A310s and A320s joined the fleet. According to the British High Court, three 747-400s were unlawfully taken by Mahan Air from their real owner,Blue Sky Airlines,in 2008, using forged bills of sale. When ordered to bring the aircraft back to Europe, Mahan claimed it could not do so because it was being investigated by the Iranian authorities for fraud, and the aircraft had to be kept in Iran.[9]
Since 2006 Boeing 747-400s, Airbus A300-600s, Avro RJ-100s, and Airbus A340-600s were gradually acquired. The airline started operations from Tehran to Shanghai in 2011, Guangzhou in 2013, and Beijing in 2014.[citation needed]
The airline carried 5.4 million passengers in 2015 with an average load factor of 77%. In mid-2015, it had a fleet of 60 aircraft. It operates scheduled passenger services to international destinations in Europe, the Far East, and the Middle East. Mahan Air has a domestic route network too. The airline commenced Copenhagen and Paris services in the first half of 2016.[citation needed]
Developments since 2011
[edit]On 12 December 2011, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced the designation of Mahan Air as a material and transportation supporter of terrorism, "for providing financial, material and technological support to theIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).Based in Tehran, Mahan Air provides transportation, funds transfers, and personnel travel services to the IRGC-QF. "[10][11][12][13][14]
On 6 April 2016, Mahan Air was banned from flying over Saudi Arabian airspace.[15]
In 2016, besides Germany and Denmark, Mahan Air started service to Milan and Athens, and to Barcelona the following year. It operated up to 15 weekly flights to China until late 2018.[citation needed]
During theVenezuelan presidential crisis,Mahan Air launched their directCaracas-Tehran route in April 2019.[16]In January 2019, the German government banned Mahan Air from landing in Germany, where it had formerly servedMunich AirportandDüsseldorf Airport,citing Mahan's involvement in Syria and security concerns.[17][18]France imposed the same ban on 25 March 2019, and Mahan Air was forced to cancel its 4-weekly service to Paris.[19]On 1 November 2019, the Italian government also announced that it would ban Mahan Air flights to the country from 15 December 2019. The move came afterUnited States Secretary of StateMike Pompeo's visit to Rome, during which he urged Italian officials to stop allowing Iranian airlines to use Italy's airspace.[20]The remaining destinations within the European Union had been Barcelona and seasonally also Athens and Varna since then. However, in April 2020, the airline lost its traffic rights to Spain as well.[21]
According to the BBC, after Iran officially suspended all flights to and from China in 2020, Mahan Air continued flying to China and elsewhere in February and March of that year.[22]The data show that although six flights were used for aid, four others were used to evacuate Iranian citizens from China, and there were a total of 157 additional flights with China from 6 February 2020 to 31 March 2020.[22][23]Mahan Air was widely blamed for spreading Corona Virus in Iran.[22]
Corporate affairs
[edit]Mahan Air is headquartered in Tehran.[24]Its current slogan is "The Spirit of Excellence."[24]Mahan Air loyalty program, called the Mahan Club "Mahan & Miles", includes access to special lounges and dedicated "fast" queues.[25]
Destinations
[edit]As of October 2023, Mahan Air operated flights to domestic destinations and international destinations in countries across Asia and Europe. Mahan Air served 45 destinations in 10 countries.[26][27]
Fleet
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Airbus_A310-304%2C_Mahan_Air_AN1278086.jpg/220px-Airbus_A310-304%2C_Mahan_Air_AN1278086.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/EP-MME%40PEK_%2820180131165041%29.jpg/220px-EP-MME%40PEK_%2820180131165041%29.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Mahan_Air_Boeing_747-400_KvW.jpg/220px-Mahan_Air_Boeing_747-400_KvW.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Tupolev_Tu-154M%2C_Mahan_Air_AN0953100.jpg/220px-Tupolev_Tu-154M%2C_Mahan_Air_AN0953100.jpg)
Current fleet
[edit]As of April 2024[update],the Mahan Air fleet consists of the following aircraft:[28][29][30]
Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | Y | Total | ||||
Airbus A300-600R | 1 | — | 24 | 256 | 280[31] | |
Airbus A340-200 | 1 | — | 30 | 247 | 277 | Acquired in September 2023.[32] |
Airbus A340-300 | 7 | — | 30 | 269 | 299[31] | |
Airbus A340-600 | 4 | — | 42 | 276 | 318[31] | |
Boeing 747-400 | 1 | — | 26 | 436 | 460 | Reintroduced after 10 years in storage in 2021.[citation needed] |
BAe 146 | 9 | — | — | 100 | 100[31] | |
Embraer ERJ-145 | 2 | — | — | 50 | 50[31] | |
Fokker 50 | 1 | — | — | 50 | 50[31] | |
Total | 32[28] | — |
Historical fleet
[edit]Mahan Air has operated the following aircraft types:[33][34]
Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus A300B2 | 3 | 2006 | 2015 | |
Airbus A300B4 | 5 | 1999 | 2013 | |
Airbus A300-600 | 11 | 2009 | 2023 | |
Airbus A310-300 | 15 | 2004 | 2023 | |
Airbus A320-200 | 7 | 2004 | 2014 | Transferred toIran AirandIran Aseman Airlines[citation needed] |
Airbus A321-100 | 2 | 2004 | 2015 | |
BAe 146-300 | 9 | 2004 | 2015 | |
Boeing 747-300M | 2 | 2008 | 2022 | One aircraft leased toEmtrasur Cargo. Seized by theU.S. Department of Justiceand scrapped in 2024.[35]Second aircraft currently in storage atMehrabad Airport |
Boeing 747-400 | 2 | 1997 | 2021 | Both aircraft are currently stored atImam Khomeini International Airport. |
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar | 2 | Unknown | Unknown | Operated bySky Gate International Aviation[36] |
McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | 1 | 2008 | 2009 | |
Tupolev Tu-154M | 2 | 1993 | 2005 | |
Tupolev Tu-204-120 | 2 | 2005 | 2006 |
Incidents
[edit]- On 23 February 2006, a Mahan AirAirbus A310operating a flight fromTehran,Iran, was involved in a serious incident while on approach to Birmingham International Airport. The aircraft descended to the published minimum descent altitude of 740 ft despite still being 11 nm from the runway threshold. At a point 6 nm from the runway, the aircraft had descended to an altitude of 660 ft, which was 164 ft above ground level. Having noticed the descent profile, Birminghamair traffic controlissued an immediate climb instruction to the aircraft, however, the crew had already commenced amissed approach,having received aGPWSalert. The aircraft was radar-vectored for a second approach, during which the flight crew again initiated an early descent. On this occasion, the radar controller instructed the crew to maintain their altitude, and the crew completed the approach to a safe landing. The accident investigation determined that the primary cause was the use of the incorrectDMEfor the approach, combined with a substantial breakdown inCrew Resource Management.Three safety recommendations were made.[37]
- On 23 September 2013, a Boeing 747-300 registered EP-MNE operating as Flight 5070 from Kerman to Medina aborted takeoff after V1and excursed from the runway. All 443 people survived, and only 13 were injured. The aircraft was repaired and returned to service but would be involved in another accident two years later.[38]
- On 13 June 2014, an Airbus A310 registered EP-MNX was struck by a passenger bus while parked at Tehran-Imam Khomeini International Airport. The aircraft was unoccupied at the time of the incident and was repaired.[39]
- On 15 October 2015, the same aircraft involved in the Flight 5070 incident operating as Flight 1095 from Tehran to Bandar Abbas, experienced an engine failure after taking off from Tehran. The aircraft returned to Tehran and made an emergency landing with no injuries to the 441 people on board reported. The aircraft was almost damaged beyond repair. However, in April 2021, after being in a C-Check and being repaired for over six years, the plane was re-activated.[40]
- On 24 December 2015, Mahan Air Flight 112, an Airbus A310 registered EP-MNP, rolled off the apron at Istanbul while taxiing at Istanbul Atatürk Airport. All 166 people survived, and the aircraft was repaired.[41]
- On 19 June 2016, a British Aerospace BAe-146-300 registered EP-MOF operating as Flight 4525 from Ahvaz to Khark overran the runway after landing at Khark Airport and was substantially damaged. All 89 people on board survived with no injuries, but the aircraft was declared a hull loss.[42]
- On 23 July 2020, it was reported that a Mahan Air Airbus A310-300 registered EP-MNF operating as Flight 1152 from Tehran to Beirut, was escorted by American fighter jets over Syrian airspace. The airplane landed in Beirut with three injuries reported.[43]
- On 3 October 2022, a bomb threat on Mahan Air Flight 81, an Airbus A340, travelling from Tehran toGuangzhoucaused theIndian Air Forceto scramble fighter jets as the aircraft passed through Indian airspace.[44][45]The threat was received at Delhi air traffic control from Lahore air traffic control[46]when the aircraft was about 200 km west of Delhi. The flight made three circles as it waited to land in Delhi, but was denied. The flight then offered to land at other Indian airports, but the requests were not taken up. The bomb threat was later called a hoax on receiving information from Tehran and only then was the flight able to reach its destination.[47][48]
- On 26 December 2022, Mahan Air (W5) Flight 63 from Tehran (IKA) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) made an abrupt diversion to Kish International Airport (KIH), as it was approaching Dubai over the Persian Gulf. The Airbus A340 was reportedly ordered to land by Iranian authorities to prevent the wife and daughter ofAli Daei,Iran's most famous footballer, from leaving the country.[49]
References
[edit]- ^"About Mahan Air".Mahan Air. Archived fromthe originalon 4 January 2014.Retrieved4 January2014.
- ^https:// mahan.aero/en/fleet[bare URL]
- ^"Spotlight on the Middle East: Top 10 Biggest Airlines by Fleet Size – Information Design".
- ^"Top 10 biggest Airlines in the Middle East | Myfaresadda".
- ^"VIP Interview: Hamid Arabnejad".The Business Year.December 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 9 May 2013.Retrieved28 December2022.
- ^"هواپیمایی ماهان - درباره ما"[About].mahan.aero(in Persian). Mahan Air.Retrieved2 June2017.
- ^"Sales Offices [Iran]".mahan.aero.Tehran, Iran: Mahan Air.Retrieved27 December2022.
- ^"Contact us".mahan.aero.Tehran, Iran: Mahan Air.Retrieved27 December2022.
- ^"Mahan Air & Anor v Blue Sky One Ltd & Ors [2011] EWCA Civ 544".BAILII. 11 May 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 23 September 2015.Retrieved7 August2013.
- ^"Treasury Designates Iranian Commercial Airline Linked to Iran's Support for Terrorism".treasury.gov.United States Department of the Treasury. 12 October 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 16 October 2011.Retrieved27 December2022.
- ^"Treasury Sanctions Supporters of Iran's Ballistic Missile Program and Terrorism-Designated Mahan Air".treasury.gov.United States Department of the Treasury.24 March 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 21 August 2016.Retrieved27 December2022.
- ^"Iran Still Operating U.S.-Sanctioned Airline in Support of Assad, IRGC".Foundation for Defense of Democracies.17 September 2015.Retrieved11 September2016.
- ^"Foreign Terrorist Organizations".Archived fromthe originalon 4 November 2016.Retrieved28 October2016.
- ^"EU terrorist list - Consilium".consilium.europa.eu.European Council/Council of the European Union.Retrieved2 June2017.
- ^"Saudi Arabia bans Iran's Mahan Air from flying into kingdom - Business - NZ Herald News".Archived fromthe originalon 20 April 2016.Retrieved7 April2016.
- ^"Iran's Mahan Air launches direct flights to Venezuela".8 April 2019.Retrieved22 May2019.
- ^"Mahan Air droht Einflugverbot für Deutschland"[Mahan Air faces landing ban in Germany].aero.de(in German). 22 December 2018.Retrieved23 December2018.
- ^Germany bans Iran’s Mahan Air amid security concerns,AP (The News & Observer reprint), 21 January 2019
- ^"Iran's Mahan Air cancels Paris flights over 'sanctions'".France 24.19 March 2019.Retrieved14 November2019.
- ^"Italy bans Mahan's flights".theiranproject.The Iran Project. 2 November 2019.Retrieved2 November2019.
- ^aerotelegraph - "Mahan Air also no longer allowed to fly to Spain"(German) 16 April 2020
- ^abcWaked, Bettina, ed. (5 May 2020)."How an Iranian airline 'helped spread coronavirus'".BBC News.BBC News Arabic.Retrieved8 May2020.
- ^"Revealed: How rogue Iran airline spread coronavirus through Middle East".Arab News.7 May 2020.Retrieved7 May2020.
- ^ab"Travel Classes".Mahan Air.Retrieved25 May2014.
- ^"Mahan & Miles - Terms & Conditions".Mahan Air.Retrieved25 May2014.
- ^"Domestic Destinations".mahan.aero.
- ^"International Destinations".mahan.aero.
- ^ab"Mahan Fleet".Mahan Air.Retrieved10 July2021.
- ^"Airbus orders and deliveries"(XLS).Airbus S.A.S.30 June 2021.Retrieved8 July2021.
- ^"Mahan Air Fleet Details and History".Planespotters.net.14 April 2024.Retrieved29 April2024.
- ^abcdef"Mahan Air - Seat Map".mahan.aero.Retrieved2 June2017.
- ^"Iran's Mahan Air adds first A340-200".ch-aviation.Retrieved21 October2023.
- ^"Mahan Air Fleet".airfleets.net.Archived fromthe originalon 12 August 2013.Retrieved5 August2013.
- ^"Mahan Airlines Fleet Details and History".planespotters.net.Archived fromthe originalon 22 July 2013.Retrieved5 August2013.
- ^ch-aviation - US scraps Emtrasur B747 following forfeiture2 March 2024
- ^"Mahan Air JY-SGI (Lockheed L-1011 TriStar - MSN 1234) (Ex N1738D)".airfleets.net.Airfleets aviation.Retrieved8 December2021.
- ^"Report on the serious incident to Airbus A310-304, registration F-OJHI, on approach to Birmingham International Airport on 23 February 2006".UK AAIB.Archived fromthe originalon 26 April 2012.Retrieved28 December2007.
- ^Ranter, Harro."ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-3B3 EP-MNE Kerman International Airport (KER)".aviation-safety.net.Aviation Safety Network.Retrieved1 November2020.
- ^Ranter, Harro."ASN Aircraft accident Airbus A310-304 EP-MNX Tehran-Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)".aviation-safety.net.Aviation Safety Network.Retrieved1 November2020.
- ^Ranter, Harro."ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-3B3 EP-MNE Tehran-Mehrabad Airport (THR)".aviation-safety.net.Aviation Safety Network.Retrieved1 November2020.
- ^Ranter, Harro."ASN Aircraft accident Airbus A310-308 EP-MNP Istanbul-Atatürk International Airport (IST)".aviation-safety.net.Aviation Safety Network.Retrieved1 November2020.
- ^Ranter, Harro."ASN Aircraft accident British Aerospace BAe-146-300 EP-MOF Khark Airport (KHK)".aviation-safety.net.Aviation Safety Network.Retrieved1 November2020.
- ^"Iran says Mahan Air passenger plane was 'harassed' over Syria by US fighter jets".USA TODAY.Associated Press. 23 July 2020.Retrieved1 November2020.
- ^"Iranian plane arrives safely in China after fake bomb scare".Reuters.3 October 2022.Retrieved4 October2022.
- ^"Indian jets scrambled after false bomb scare on flight from Iran".Al Jazeera.3 October 2022.Retrieved4 October2022.
- ^Kar, Sharmita (3 October 2022). Goswami, Sohini (ed.)."China-bound Iranian flight with 'bomb threat' spent 40 mins in Indian airspace".Hindustan Times.Retrieved4 October2022.
- ^Sengar, Mukesh Singh; Som, Vishnu (3 October 2022). Mitra, Chandrajit (ed.)."Bomb Scare On Iran Flight In Indian Airspace, Air Force Scrambles Jets".NDTV.Retrieved4 October2022.
- ^Mukul, Pranav (3 October 2022)."Bomb threat on Iran-China flight while in Indian airspace, IAF jets scrambled".The Indian Express.Retrieved4 October2022.
- ^"Iranian football legend Ali Daei says family ordered off flight".Al Jazeera. 27 December 2022.Retrieved28 December2022.
Further reading
[edit]- Taghvaee, Babak (2023).Mahan Air: Iran's Largest Airline.Airlines Series, Vol. 13. Stamford, Lincs, UK: Key Publishing.ISBN9781802825831.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)