Iran Ministry Says Not Involved in Talks with Bombardier
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Ministry of Road and Urban Development has not held any talks with Canadian plane manufacturer Bombardier Inc., a deputy minister said, adding that the country’s private sector has been involved in business negotiations with that company.
Speaking to Tasnim on Saturday, Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan said he was not informed of the agreements between the Iranian private sector and the Canadian plane maker.
It came after CEO of Iran’s Qeshm Free Zone Organization Hamidreza Momeni said Canada has agreed to provide $100 million in finance for a deal on the purchase of planes from Montreal-based aerospace and transportation company Bombardier.
According to Momeni, the $100-million finance will cover 80% of the deal, which entails the supply of 104-seat planes.
He had earlier unveiled plans for the establishment of a new airline called Fly Qeshm, saying it will start operation as of February 11, 2018.
The Financial Post on January 17 said Bombardier has not confirmed the report that the Canadian plane maker is finalizing its first commercial aircraft order in Iran.
Chief executive Alain Bellemare said more than a year ago that he was pretty sure the company will gain market access and catch up with aerospace rivals in Iran after the Canadian government lifted sanctions in early 2016.
Iran is gradually receiving the passenger planes purchased from Airbus, ATR , and Boeing, following the implementation of the JCPOA, a nuclear agreement between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Since the coming into force of the JCPOA in January 2016, Iran has received a total of 11 new planes.
During a January 2016 visit to Paris by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Tehran signed a major contract with Airbus worth about $27 billion to buy 118 planes.
Later in June 2016, Iran sealed another deal worth around $25 billion with the US aerospace heavyweight, Boeing, for the purchase of 100 passenger planes.
In December 2016, the deal with Boeing was finalized, allowing Iran to buy 80 planes within 10 years.
