Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development announced that IranAir and ATR struck a contract today (13 April 2017) at IranAir’s headquarter in Tehran. The contract, concerning a total of 20 ATR 72-600 aircraft, is the result of an agreement initially signed in January 2016.

ATR confirms the news from the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development on 13 April 2017. The deal includes an option for 20 additional aircraft. ATR has reportedly until now arranged to finance eight of the aircraft.

According to the contract, IranAir plans to take delivery of nine ATR 72-600 aircraft in 2017. The first batch, including four aircraft, is set to be delivered with start in 15 days. Five other aircraft will be delivered throughout the year and the remaining eleven aircraft will arrive in Iran during 2018.

Previously reported, IranAir announced the contract’s long delay due to a row with Pratt & Whitney Canada, the supplier of the ATR engines. The Canadian manufacturer did not agree to guarantee services and spare parts after the sales to IranAir. After three weeks of negotiations in Iran, the company did not change its mind. As a result, IranAir halted the negotiations and called on ATR to pressure Pratt & Whitney Canada to come to the negotiation table. ATR has till this very moment not been able to convince the Canadians.

After Pratt & Whitney Canada’s reluctance, IranAir notified ATR its intent to opt-out from the agreement. ATR then suggested to IranAir that it would offer the ultimate service, acting as a direct supplier for spare parts and other maintenance services. IranAir challenged ATR on how it could secure the necessary licences and after a confirmation, IranAir agreed to the terms making ATR responsible for after sales services.

In October 2016, IranAir announced that it will base one ATR 72-600 at Arak Airport.

In March 2017, IranAir’s CEO announced that they plan to take delivery of four Airbus A320s in 2017 and five Airbus A321s in 2018.

Photo: DigitalAirliners.com (used with special permission)

This article has been updated since its publication.