Aeroflot, Russia’s largest commercial airline, has sent its first Airbus A330-300 to be serviced by maintenance mechanics in Iran, reports RBC.
The aircraft flew to Tehran on April 5. It’s expected to be serviced by Mahan Air, Iran’s largest privately owned airline.
In July 2022, against the backdrop of the European sanctions, Iran and Russia signed an agreement, according to which Iran would supply Russian airlines with spare aircraft parts and provide maintenance services for Russian planes.
The E.U. closed its airspace to Russian carriers in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, banning all maintenance, support, insurance, and leasing services to Russian airlines.