Iran aviation: the next market for aircraft manufacturers. Can growth be as fast as hoped?

With a landmark nuclear deal being proposed for Iran, the focus shifts from the immense complexity of reaching an agreement to the implications of it. For aviation, this means Iran's airlines taking new aircraft. The prospect has long been out there but now feels within reach, provided the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is approved by various nations. It may not be until 2016 that business eventuates, although Iran is eager to do deals with Airbus and Boeing to replace its airlines' ageing fleets and to also generate new growth, clawing back at the gains foreign carriers have made in the Iranian market while Iran's local airlines have faced restrictions.

STOP PRESS! CAPA announces Iran Aviation Summit, Tehran 24-25 January 2016 - first major international aviation summit to be held in Iran in almost 40 years, with the full backing of Iran's aviation authorities and industry leaders. The Iranian delegation comprises the 100 most influential people in Iranian aviation and travel. They will be joined by more than 150 industry leaders from around the world, meeting to discuss the potential of the market in a post-sanctions environment. Click here to view the Iran delegate line-up.

Iran's in-service fleet stands at 215 aircraft in Aug-2015. Iran talks of taking 300 new aircraft within five years and a further 200 in the following five for a total of 500 aircraft within 10 years. The nuclear deal means these numbers are being more closely examined. Iran wants replacement and growth, with its airlines' average fleet age of nearly 25 years making them some of the oldest.